Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was polymerized in the presence of divinylbenzene (DVB). The GMA/ DVB resin was immobilized with different chelating moieties containing nitrogen or sulfur donor atoms. The resins obtained [an amino-bearing resin (RI), an amino/thiocarbamate-bearing resin (RII), a triazole-bearing resin (RIII), and an amino/thiol-bearing resin (RIV)] were tested toward the recovery of Ag(I) from its aqueous solutions. The adsorption behavior of Ag(I) and the resin regeneration were studied. The sulfur-containing resins showed higher uptake and lower elution efficiency than those containing nitrogen. The maximum uptake values were 1.20, 1.33, 1.40, and 2.86 mmol/g for RI, RII, RIII, and RIV, respectively. The mechanism of interaction between Ag(I) and the resins is also suggested. Regeneration was achieved with a 0.5N thiourea solution, acidified thiourea, or 0.5N H2SO4, where the resins were stable over five cycles. Elution efficiencies of 94-96 and 90-93 % were achieved for the nitrogen- and sulfur-containing resins, respectively. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.