SBA-15 modified with APTMS (3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane) having pore diameter (similar to 8 nm) has been synthesized and impregnated with 1-10 wt.% Cu using Cu(NO3)(2) as a metal source followed by calcination at 350 degrees C. As-prepared CuO/ap-SBA-15 powder showed changes in the color from white for bare SBA-15 to light green due to formation of anisotropic CuO nanoparticles that exhibited a characteristic plasmon absorption band at 359 and 747 nm. TEM studies showed a change in the morphology of CuO NPs as a function of increased Cu loading. Moreover, well dispersed CuO nanospheres (similar to 5-6 nm) and nanorods (aspect ratio similar to 11-20 nm) having monoclinic crystal phase were observed within the meso-porous channels of SBA-15. Elemental mapping studies confirmed uniform distribution of CuO nanopartides on the surface of SBA-15. An increase in surface area was also observed from 694 m(2)g(-1) for SBA-15 to 762 m(2)g(-1) for 10 wt.% Cu loading probably due to the deposition of excess of CuO nanoparticles on the outer siliceous surface. The catalytic activity also increased with Cu loading and 10 wt.% CuO/ap-SBA-15 catalyst displayed the highest catalytic activity for the reduction of m-chloronitrobenzene and m-nitrotoluene with 83% and 100% selectivity for m-chloroaniline and m-aminotoluene respectively. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.