usage of aerogels as an adsorbent has become more widespread because of its specifications such as high porosity andspecific surface. Nanometer silica aerogel and silica aerogel-activated carbon composites were synthesized using awater glass precursor by ambient pressure drying method. Then, the adsorption capacity of synthesized adsorbentswas studied in terms of benzene and ethyl benzene adsorption by chromatography method for continuous andbatch testing. Results showed that silica aerogel and silica aerogel-activated carbon composites had high tendencyfor benzene and ethyl benzene adsorption. Silica aerogel showed maximum adsorption capacity of 2.3 g g−1and0.7 g g−1in static adsorption of benzene and ethyl benzene respectively. Also, in dynamic adsorption of benzene andethyl benzene, silica aerogel had maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity of 0.954 g g−1and 0.219 g g−1respectively.Minimum equilibrium adsorption capacity in benzene and ethyl benzene static adsorption was related to activatedcarbon with 0.7 g g−1and silica aerogel–2 wt% activated carbon with 0.25 g g−1respectively. After adsorption process,silica aerogel and silica aerogel–0.5 wt% activated carbon composite were regenerated by solvent extraction–thermaltreatment method and, after at least 15 adsorption/desorption cycles, their adsorption capacity became fixed.© 2014 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.