Novel terpyridine-functionalized MCM-41 nanoporous silica was synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermal (TGA-DSC) and elemental analyses. The application of functionalized nanoporous silica was investigated for the removal of chromate, which is one of the most harmful pollutants in the environment. The effects of several parameters including the sample pH, adsorption kinetic and maximum adsorption capacity of functionalized nanoporous silica in the removal of chromate were studied.