An exploration of the SO 2 adsorption properties, of two distinct mesoporous materials, classic hydroxy-functionalized SBA-15 and amino-functionalized SBA-15, shows remarkable SO 2 adsorption properties, with total uptakes of 4.43 and 4.19 mmol g −1 at 298 K and 1 bar, respectively. Furthermore, the amino-functionalization increases the SO 2 adsorption at low pressure. Relatively weak SO 2 interactions via physisorption processes in both materials were corroborated by calculating the heat of adsorption for SO 2 . Then, photoluminescence experiments demonstrated the outstanding properties of SBA-15 for selective SO 2 detection. A higher packing of the SO 2 molecules within the pores of the materials was the driving force for the change in fluorescence. Finally, the time-resolved photoluminescence decay experiments provide insights into the intricate host-to-guest energy transfer mechanisms intrinsic to these materials. This research not only advances our knowledge of SO 2 adsorption mechanisms but also underscores the potential applications of SBA-15 materials in gas sensing and environmental monitoring, which are crucial in various industries.