Copper inclusion in cellulose using sodium d-gluconate complexes

► Cellulose fibres can absorb copper ions from Cu2+-d-gluconate complexes. ► The binding mechanism bases on a ligand exchange reaction. ► d-Gluconate can serve as a model for Cu-binding in cellulose. ► Binding capacity is limited by carboxylic group content of the cellulose. ► High copper content on the fibres is observed when Cu-precipitates are formed.