To investigate the adsorption mechanism of quaternary ammonium salt on the α-quartz (001) sur-face, the adsorption models of hydrophobic modifiers 1231, 1431, 1631 and 1831 were constructed and simulated using the density functional theory (DFT). Results indicate that the adsorption energy of quaternary ammonium salt increases with the increase of carbon chain length, and the adsorption energy reaches the maximum at 18 carbon atoms; however, the adsorption capacity of 1631 is weak owing to the carbon chain deflection. Based on the Mulliken bond population analysis, reagent 1831 has the strongest interaction with α-quartz (001) surface compared with 1231, 1431 and 1631; and during the adsorption process, charge transfer and electrostatic attraction occur between the reagent and α-quartz (001) surface with similar degrees of charge transfer observed. This study emphasizes that electrostatic attraction plays a key role in the adsorption process, while the week hydrogen bonding plays a secondary role.