To achieve an adsorbent that has better absorption and extraction performance, carboxymethyl-diethylammo-niumethyl cellulose (CMDEAEC), a low-cost cellulose-based ionic liquid that possesses a nanoscale particle size and good swellability to increase the contact area, was prepared through a one-step reaction. The chemically modified cellulose was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy. As an adsorbent, CMDEAEC was used for selective recovery of metal ions. The effects of pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and contact time on metal ion adsorption were examined. CMDEAEC was found to exhibit selectivity only for Au(III). Additionally, the adsorption process follows the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Furthermore, the desorption of ions from CMDEAEC and the regeneration capacity of CMDEAEC were investigated. In conclusion, as an efficient, low-cost, easily obtained and environmentally friendly adsorbent, CMDEAEC is expected to be used for the selective recovery of gold.