SBA-15 mesoporous material functionalized with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde denoted as Q-SBA-15 was synthesized by using Schiff’s base reaction to remove Cr(III) ions from aqueous solution. A series of characterizations were performed to analyze the morphology, pore structure, element distribution and chemical properties of Q-SBA-15. The results showed that BET surface area and pore size of SBA-15 decreased after modified with 2-hydroxy- 1-naphthaldehyde, but the surface morphology and crystal structure of SBA-15 did not change significantly. To investigate the adsorption properties of Q-SBA-15 toward Cr(III) ions, effects of solution pH and ionic strength were studied. Moreover, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherm models, adsorption thermodynamics, and regeneration performance of Q-SBA-15 were analyzed. Adsorption process toward Cr(III) ions onto Q-SBA-15 was well followed by pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Q-SBA-15 was 102.3 mg/g toward Cr(III) ions under the conditions of 40 ℃ and pH 6. The Cr(III) adsorption onto Q-SBA-15 was found to be spontaneous and endothermic process. The adsorption process mainly based on the coordination chelation of Cr(III) ions with the functionalized groups on Q-SBA-15. Furthermore, Q-SBA-15 exhibited good reusability. Therefore, Q-SBA-15 can be used as a promising adsorbent for removal of Cr(III) ions from aqueous solution.