Cross-linked chitosan (CCS) microspheres tethered with pH-sensitive poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) brushes were developed for the efficient removal of Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions. Functional PMAA brushes containing dense and active carboxyl groups (-COOH) were grafted onto the CCS microsphere surface via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Batch adsorption results showed that solution pH values had a major impact on cadmium adsorption by the PMAA-grafted CCS microspheres with the optimal removal observed above pH 5. The CCS-g-PMAA microsphere was found to achieve the adsorption equilibrium of Cd(II) within 1 h, much faster than about 7 h on the CCS microsphere. At pH 5 and with an initial concentration 0.089-2.49 mmol dm(-3), the maximum adsorption capacity of Cd(II), derived from the Langmuir fitting on the PMAA-grafted microspheres was around 1.3 mmol g(-1). Desorption and adsorption cycle experimental results revealed that the PMAA-grafted CCS microspheres loaded with Cd(II) can be effectively regenerated in a dilute HNO3 solution, and the adsorption capacity remained almost unchanged upon five cycle reuse. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.