Abstract We describe the synthesis of semicarbazide-or glyoxylyl-functionalized polydisperse silica particles and their use for the preparation of hybrid polypeptide–silica materials. The peptides were attached to the surface of functionalized silicas by site-specific α-oxo hydrazone or semicarbazone ligation. The reaction of semicarbazide silicas with a model glyoxylyl peptide was found to be very efficient under stoichiometric conditions and ...