Firstly, functional macromolecule polyethyleneimine (PEI) was grafted onto the surfaces of silica gel particles via the coupling grafting method, the adsorption material PEI/SiO2 was formed. Secondly, the molecular imprinting was carried out towards the macromolecule PEI grafted on the surface of silica particles using phenol as a template and diepoxyalkyl (669) as a crosslinking agent. Finally, imprinted polymer MIP-PEI/SiO2 with high affinity, specific recognition ability and excellent selectivity for phenol was prepared. The adsorption and recognition ability of MIP-PEI/SiO2 for phenol were researched by static methods. The experimental results show that MIP-PEI/SiO2 possesses very strong adsorption and recognition ability for phenol. The saturated adsorption capacity could reach to 46.6 mg g(-1). The selectivity coefficients relative to resorcin and p-nitrophenol are 35.41 and 37.40, respectively. The empirical Freundlich isotherm was found to describe well the equilibrium adsorption data. pH and temperature have great influence on the adsorption capacity. Diluted hydrochloric acid solution is used as eluent, and the adsorbed phenol is eluted easily from MIP-PEI/SiO2. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.