New organic-inorganic hybrid materials were prepared by covalently anchoring 1-furoyl thiourea on mesoporous silica (SBA-15). By means of various characterization techniques (X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and FTIR spectroscopy) it has been established that the organic groups were successfully anchored on the SBA-15 surfaces and the ordering of the inorganic support was preserved during the chemical modifications. The hybrid sorbents exhibited good ability to remove Hg(II) from aqueous solution. Thus, at pH 6, the adsorption capacity of mercury ions reached 0.61 mmol g(-1). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.