Ultrasound-assisted preparation and characterization of crystalline cellulose-ionic liquid blend polymeric material: A prelude to the study of its application toward the effective adsorption of chromium

► Novel cellulose-ionic liquid blend polymeric sorbent was prepared by ultrasonication. ► The mechanism of interaction involves a bilayer assembly. ► Structural characteristics of the adsorbent were studied in detail. ► The polymeric sorbent has an adsorption capacity of 38.94 mg/g for chromium. ► Adsorbent is effectively regenerated with ascorbic acid making the process green.