The chemical properties at the surface of silica-based materials play a pivotal role in their application effectiveness. The characteristics, positioning, and mixture of surface functional groups directly influence the adsorption properties of these materials. Through a singular synthesis process, it’s possible to create functionalized silica spheres, paving the way for the development of sorbents that are highly efficient in cleaning wastewater from the metallurgy and textile industries or in the precise extraction of precious metals from discarded electronic components.