Based on the principle of supramolecular recognition and fluorescent chemical sensors, a novel kind of material for the separation of toxic heavy metal ions was designed and synthesized. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles MCM-41 with high surface areas and large ordered pores were used as the supporting matrix. Poly-amide derivative, was grafted to the mesoporous silica nanoparticles for extracting and separating trace Hg2+ from aqueous solution, with a short adsorption time (t = 3 min) and a wide range of pH application (pH 3-11). The separation material could also extract trace mercury from Traditional Chinese Medicine, and has no influence on their effective components. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.