Ion-imprinted carboxymethyl chitosan-silica hybrid sorbent for extraction of cadmium from water samples

► An ion-imprinted silica-supported organic-inorganic hybrid sorbent was prepared. ► The sorbent combined the functionality of chitosan and advantages of silica gel. ► The selectivity of sorbent can be enhanced by using molecularly imprinted. ► The proposed method was applied to determination of Cd(II) in water samples.