Porous structured chitosan-p-cyclodextrin membranes were synthesized by incorporating P-cyclodextrin polymers as the functional reagent and using gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane as crosslinking agent. Compared with chitosan itself, the synthesized membranes showed significant changes in the molecular constitutions, crystalline and thermal properties. It was found that the mol ratio of the epoxy groups of gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane to the free amino groups of chitosan, as well as the solvent evaporated time, largely influenced the pore size and water content of the membranes. The effects of the initial concentration of adsorbate and the pH on the adsorption of hydroquinone were investigated by the spectrophotometry. Kinetic studies show the adsorption is a pseudo-second order process. The adsorption is endothermic and chemically activated reaction with activation energy of 70.0 kJ mol(-1). (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.