Si(OH)4 and SiO(OH)3− mainly adsorb on kaolinite Al surface (0 0 1).
The adsorption of SiO(OH)3− is more stable than that of Si(OH)4.
The hybridization is the main interaction between Al surface and Si(OH)4.
SiO(OH)3− adsorbs on Al surface by hybridization and electrostatic interactions.