Efficient selenium(IV) detection and removal from water by tailor-made novel conjugate adsorbent

- Ligand functionalized conjugate adsorbent was used for Se(IV) capturing.
- The specific condition was optimized in the cases of both the detection and sorption.
- The effects of pH, detection limit, competing ions and sorption capacity were analyzed.
- Adsorbent was reused for several cycles without significant loss in the cage cavities.