The adsorptive and hydrolytic performance of cellulase on cationised cotton

► The cotton was cationised by cationic agent to change its surface electric properties. ► The effect of cationisation on the adsorptive and hydrolytic performance of cellulase was explored. ► Higher cationisation degree contributes to the adsorption of cellulase protein on cotton because of the reverse charges attraction. ► The hydrolytic activity of cellulase is partially inhibited by the cationisation. ► The inhibiting effect can be directly certified by morphological observation.