A cubic mesoporous silicate (CMS) was prepared, characterised, and assessed as an adsorbent for tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) from aqueous solution. The adsorption process was studied as a function of temperature and time. Sorption closely followed the Langmuir model. The adsorption of TMAH on CMS was endothermic and kinetic studies suggest that the overall rate of adsorption was pseudo-second-order. Pore diffusion effects contribute to limiting the overall rate of adsorption while at lower initial TMAH concentrations, film diffusion becomes more important. Desorption studies were carried out using water and methanol. Methanol was the superior desorbing agent. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.