In order to prepare a novel adsorbent which can not only degrade organic compound, but also adsorb the heavy metal ions, immobilization of nanometer titanium dioxide on ion-imprinted chitosan carries was investigated. The amount of TiO2, different kinds and amounts of dispersants, adding methods of TiO2, different kinds of cross-linking agents and target metal ions are important factors influencing the degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) and the adsorption for Ni2+. When 15% amount of TiO2 was added in preparation, the removal of MO was highly increased to nearly 90%, which was about eight times higher than that without TiO2, at the same time, the effect of TiO2 on the adsorption capacity was not obvious. The results show that in the presence of Ni2+ and MO, the MO could be removed effectively and the removal of MO reached 95.4%. At the initial concentration of Ni2+ of 200 mg/L, the adsorption capacity of Ni2+ reached 33 mg/g in the presence of MO. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.