This dialdehyde cellulose was further oxidised using mildly acidified sodium chlorite.
The 2,3-dicarboxy cellulose oxidised to nearly 100% oxidation level was completely soluble in water, but the 2,3-dicarboxy cellulose of 70%
oxidation was largely insoluble.
The latter was assessed for its heavy metal adsorption capability and uptake levels of 184 mg g1 and 236 mg g1 were achieved for Ni(II) and Cu(II), respectively.
Subsequently, Maekawa and Koshijima(1990), synthesised cellulose-hydroxamic acid derivatives from dialdehyde cellulose obtained by the previous periodate oxidation method and their heavy metal adsorption capacities were investigated.
These materials were capable of adsorbing 246 mg g1 Cu(II) from aqueous
solution.