beta-Cyclodextrin (beta-CD) copolymer materials were synthesized by reacting different mole ratios (1 : 15, 1: 25 and 1: 35) of beta-CD with epichlorohydrin (EP). The products were characterized using N-2 porosimetry, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, C-13 CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, elemental (C and H) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The sorption properties in aqueous solution were studied using p-nitrophenol (PNP) with UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Sorption isotherms were obtained at pH 4.6 and three temperatures (22, 35, and 45 degrees C) and at pH 10.3 at 22 degrees C. The isotherms were analyzed using the BET isotherm model and the sorption parameters provided estimates of the surface area, sorption capacity, and isosteric heats of sorption for each polymeric material. The estimated surface areas are as follows: 58.2, 52.1, and 90.1 m(2)/g at pH 4.6. At pH 10.3, the estimated surface areas are 44.2, 40.5, and 58.5 m(2)/g, respectively. The removal efficiency of PNP by the polymeric materials ranged between 4.5 and 58% for the conditions investigated whereas the isosteric heats ranged between -24.5 and -13.6 kJ/mol. Removal efficiencies were concluded to strongly depend on the sorption conditions such as pH, temperature, and the relative amounts of sorbent and dye in aqueous solution. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 2982-2989, 2010