Chelating fibers prepared with a wet spinning technique using a mixture of a viscose solution and a polymer ligand for the separation of metal ions in an aqueous solution

► New chelating fibers were prepared by the wet spinning technique. ► The chelating fibers consisted of cellulose and polymer ligands. ► The chelating fibers have an excellent potential for separating harmful metal ions. ► The wet spinning technique was simple and effective for preparing chelating fibers. ► This technique would be applicable to prepare other types of chelating fibers.