Hydrothermal stability of mesoporous silica was improved by intercalation of CuAAPTS (3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane, AAPTS) complex by means of ion imprinting method. The ion imprinting method involves ion exchange of Cu(AAPTS)(2)(2+) complex and covalent bond formation with surface silanol group, removing Cu2+ ion by protonation reaction with nitric acid, and decomposition of AAPTS by calcination. The improved hydrothermal stability by CuAAPTS modification is attributed to the highly crosslinked silica "pillars" as a result of condensation of AAPTS and surface silanol groups by means of covalent bonding; and hydrophobic surfaces without alteration of the wall thickness of MCM-41. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.