Synthesis, characterization and application of a novel silica based adsorbent for boron removal

► The Si-MG was designed so that NMDG modified GPTMS was loaded onto the silica gel surface. ► The Si-MG exhibited a high capability of boron removal with 1.54 mmol g− 1 at pH 7.0. ► The adsorption behavior was studied at boron concentration ranged from 0 to 0.21 mol L− 1.