Optimization of chitosan and β-cyclodextrin molecularly imprinted polymer synthesis for dye adsorption

► Chitosan and β-cyclodextrin MIPs for selective separation of dyes. ► Effect of “polymer cookery” in selectivity and adsorption capacity. ► Adsorption capacity up to 35 mg/g for MIPs. ► Equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated.