Effective sorption of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) on hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide immobilized mesoporous SiO2 hollow sphere

► Efficient sorbent HDTMAB-immobilized mesoporous SiO2 hollow sphere was prepared. ► Increasing volume was used to simulate the natural river situation. ► The sorbent showed high sorption capacity for the perfluorooctane sulfonate. ► Sorption mechanisms included hydrophobic interaction and Ca-bridge role.