Two hybrid 3-n-propyl-1-azonia-4-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octanechloride xerogels with organic content of 0.97 and 1.87 were successfully prepared using the sol-gel method, and they showed promising results as metal sorbents for cadmium from aqueous solutions. The morphological properties of the xerogels were markedly influenced by the organic content. The xerogel with lower organic content showed a higher porosity and pores with a larger average size. This sample presented the higher metal adsorption capacity (0.7 mmol g-1). © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.