Chitosan-salicylaldehyde polymer derivatives were formed via chitosan modification. These polymers were synthesized through inclusion with β-cylcodextrine and doping with ZnO nanoparticles to give pseudopolyrotaxane and Chs-Sal/ZnO NPs composite, respectively. Additionally, the complicated polymer (Chs-Sal/ β-CD/ZnO NPs) was prepared via insertion of generated composite (Chs-Sal/ZnO NPs) through β-cyclodextrin ring. The structural and morphological characterizations of the novel synthesized derivatives were confirmed by utilizing FT-IR, XRD and SEM analysis, respectively. Also, the optical properties and thermal gravimetric analysis of the synthesized polymers were explored. The released results confirmed that using β-CD or ZnO NPs for modification of polymer (chs-sal) dramatically enhanced the thermal stability and optical features of the synthesized polymers. Investigations on the NH3-sensing properties of Chs-Sal/β-CD/ZnO NPs composite were carried out at concentrations down to 10 ppm at RT. It was found that modification by β-CD and doping with ZnO NPs improves effectively the NH3-sensing response of Chs-Sal and exhibited good selectivity and good response-recovery time at RT.