ORIGINAL RESEARCH Multifunctional jute fabrics obtained by different chemical modiﬁcations A. Ivanovska . K. Asanovic . M. Jankoska . K. Mihajlovski . L. Pavun . M. Kostic Received: 1 March 2020 / Accepted: 20 July 2020 Ó Springer Nature B.V. 2020 Abstract The aim of the present research is ﬁrst to reduce the jute fabric non-cellulosic components by using different chemical modiﬁcations (i.e. alkali and oxidative) and then to analyze their inﬂuence on the jute fabric properties. For that purpose, the jute fabrics were characterized in terms of their chemical compo- sition, structural parameters, mechanical properties, volume electrical resistivity, antibacterial activity and biosorption of Zn 2? . Moreover, the jute fabrics were functionalized by incorporation of silver ions and the fabrics were evaluated as sorption material with a further perspective of reuse. After the alkali modiﬁ- cations, the hemicelluloses were selectively removed and the fabric structural parameters increased. Alkali modiﬁcations under mild conditions (1% NaOH for 30 min and 5% NaOH for 5 min) lead to a decrease, while the most intensive alkali modiﬁcation (17.5% NaOH for 30 min) contributed to an increase in the volume electrical resistivity and fabric maximum force compared to unmodiﬁed fabric. A relationship between the jute fabric chemical composition, crys- tallinity index, conversion of cellulose I to cellulose II, fabric structural parameters and volume electrical resistivity was found. The oxidations lead to selective lignin removal, which consequently causes a decrease in the volume electrical resistivity and fabric maxi- mum force. Ag ? incorporated in the selected samples decreased their electrical resistivity even further. Following the increased focus on the concept of circular economy and sustainable development goals, the biosorption potential of damaged and waste jute fabrics for Zn 2? was investigated. Jute fabrics with incorporated Ag ? and those obtained after the biosorption of Zn 2? provided maximum bacterial reduction (99.99%) for Escherichia coli and Staphy- lococcus aureus. The chemically modiﬁed jute fabrics can be utilized as carpet backing and protective clothing in environments sensitive to electrical dis- charges, but also as ﬁlters for water disinfection and biosorbents for Zn 2? . A. Ivanovska (&)  K. Asanovic  K. Mihajlovski  M. Kostic (&) Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, Belgrade 11000, Serbia e-mail: aivanovska@tmf.bg.ac.rs M. Kostic e-mail: kostic@tmf.bg.ac.rs M. Jankoska Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Skopje, Ruger Boskovic 16, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia L. Pavun Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia 123 Cellulose https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03360-x