In this paper, functional macromolecule polyethyleneimine (PEI) was grafted onto the surface of silica gel particles in order to produce the novel adsorption material, PEI/SiO2. Then this novel material's adsorption properties for TNT were investigated through static methods. and the experimental results showed that PEI/SiO2 possessed strong adsorption ability for TNT. In fact, the saturated adsorption amount could reach 14.47 mg g(-1). The empirical Freundlich isotherm was also found to describe well the equilibrium adsorption data. In addition, the pH and temperature were found to have great influence on the adsorption amount. Finally, PEI/SiO2 was observed to possess excellent reusability properties as well. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.