Nano-magnetic cellulose hybrid was obtained from precipitation of cellulose in presence of Fe(II)/Fe(III) mixture. The hybrid material obtained was then functionalized with amino group through successive treatment by glycidylmethacrylate and tetraethylenepentamine. The functionalized hybrid cellulose was investigated by means of FT-IR. TGA, TEM, XRD and nitrogen adsorption surface area measurements. The prepared material showed adsorption capacity of 2, 1.5 and 1.2 mmol/g for Hg(II), Cu(II) and Ag(I), respectively. The adsorbent showed fast kinetics with exothermic nature for the adsorption of the three studied metal ions. The regeneration of the loaded adsorbent was carried out by acidified thiourea. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.