The Mg2+ and Ca2+ exchange properties in the meso-zeolite LTA were investigated. These meso-zeolite materials with intracrystalline mesopores ca. 3 nm were prepared using organic functioned fumed silica as silica source. The Dual-site Langmuir (D-L) expression appropriately describes the equilibrium data for the Ca2+ and Mg2+ exchange. The fitting results with D-L model suggest that two kinds of ion-exchange sites in the mesozeolites exist, one in the part of intrinsic micropore structure (internal surface area) and the other one in the part of established mesopore structure (external surface area). The latter site has lower enthalpy values of Ca2+ or Mg2+ exchanges than the former one. Ca2+ or Mg2+ exchange kinetics is conducted at 273 K, 288 K and 308 K. The results show the emergence of mesopores lowering the activation energy of ion exchange and accelerating Mg ' exchange extremely in the materials. The diffusion rate of hydrated Mg2+ in the mesozeolite LTA increases by 17.5 times, higher than that of conventional LTA at 273 K. And the meso-zeolite LTA possesses large Mg2+ competitive ability in a solution containing Ca2+ and Mg2+. These properties make the meso-zeolite LTA a suitable material which could be used effectively in hard water softening and detergent building for Mg2+ removing. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.