Polymerized stimuli-responsive microgels for the removal of organic dye from water

•The ability of polymerized PNIPAM microgels as an efficient adsorbent is demonstrated for the removal of MB dye from water.•The maximum dye uptake is around 80 % and the dye release decreases from 87 % to 63 % in 4-repeated cycles.•Dye adsorption strongly affects the swelling properties of microgels at a single particle.•Molecular docking confirms the electrostatic and van der Waals interactions among the polymer entities and dye molecules.