Organically functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 as sorbents for removal of selected pharmaceuticals from water

► SBA-15 grafted with aminopropyl, hydroxymethyl, and trimethylsilyl groups as sorbents. ► Sorbents for removal of a mixture of 12 pharmaceuticals from water. ► Hydroxymethyl-SBA-15 shows similar adsorption efficiency like SBA-15. ► Aminopropyl-SBA-15 makes increase for clofibric acid, diclofenac, decrease for atenolol, estrone, trimethoprim. ► Trimethylsilyl-SBA-15 makes increase for 9 compounds; 7 compounds from 70.6% to 98.9%.