The scope of this study was to prepare and evaluate chitosan derivatives as biosorbents for basic dyes. This was achieved by grafting poly (acrylic acid) and poly (acrylamide) through persulfate induced free radical initiated polymerization processes and covalent cross- linking of the prepared materials. Remacryl Red TGL was used as the cationic dye. Equilibrium sorption experiments were carried out at different pH and initial dye concentration values. The experimental equilibrium data for each adsorbent- dye system were successfully fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and pH- dependent Langmuir-Freundlich sorption isotherms. Thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process such as Delta G degrees, Delta H degrees, and Delta S degrees were calculated. The negative values of free energy reflected the spontaneous nature of adsorption. The typical dependence of dye uptake on temperature and the kinetics of adsorption indicated the process to be chemisorption. The grafting modifications greatly enhanced the adsorption performance of the biosorbents, especially in the case of powdered cross- linked chitosan grafted with acrylic acid, which exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity equal to 1.068 mmol/g. Kinetic studies also revealed a significant improvement of sorption rates by the modifications. Diffusion coefficients of the dye molecule were determined to be of the order 10(-13)-10(-12) m(2)/s. Furthermore, desorption experiments affirmed the regenerative capability of the loaded material.