Novel anion exchange materials was prepared from cellulose fabrics (cotton- and rayon-cloths) by binding polyallylamine to aldehyde groups introduced by partial oxidation of cellulose via sodium periodate treatment. Degree of oxidation (D.O.) was controlled to 2-8% by the amount of oxidant. Polyallylamine (MW: 60,000, 5000, and 1000) was bound to cellulose by reductive amidation via Schiff base formation. Amount of bound amino groups was determined by conductometric titration. With the same cellulose material and degree of oxidation, the level of cationization was strongly dependent on molecular weight of polyallylamine, its concentration, and the pH of reaction mixture. Influence of these factors could be interpreted based on the porous structure of cellulose and behavior of polyallylamine in the solution. In summary, the level of cationization could be maximized by using high concentration of low-molecular weight polyallylamine under pH as high as possible. The maximum exchange capacity, similar to 2.5 meq/g, was obtained by a combination of rayon cloth, oxidation degree of 8%, polyallylamine (MW: 1000) concentration of 10% (w/w) in the reaction mixture, and at pH 11.6. The cationized cellulose showed an adsorption capacity of 1.5 g hemoglobin/g cellulose. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.