In this work, a new filter, used to prevent atmospherical pollution, has been developed. Spherical amorphous shaped silicates (such as KC-Siliperl AF 125 and Aluminium silicate 596 FA) were coated with different materials which were prepared from the hydrolysis-condensation products of organically modified silanes and metal alkoxides. The adsorption capacities of such silicates for different solvents; ethylacetate, toluene, n-hexane and cyclohexanone were investigated. It was found that KC-Siliperl AF 125 coated with IMEO (a commercial silane) adsorbed all the solvents better than Aluminium silicate 596 FA, and ethylacetate was adsorbed more than the other solvents. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.