Pore size adjustable mesoporous silica was synthesized by adsorption of varying amounts of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate at the surface of silica activated by zinc ion via a novel surface charge reversal route. The pore size and volume can be adjusted from 5.9 to 13.76 nm and 0.88 to 1.08 cm(3) g(-1), respectively, with increasing the SDBS concentration from 0.77 to 3.08 mmol L-1. Adsorption of Zn2+ as a function of pH and N-2 adsorption/desorption isotherms demonstrated that the metal ions such as Zn2+ could be readily removed with dilute nitric acid without apparent collapse of the pore structure at the proper range of SDBS concentration. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.