{
  "abstract": "The development of multifunctional, bio-based materials capable of simultaneously addressing microbial contamination and inorganic pollutants is of increasing interest for sustainable water purification. In this study, xanthan gum (XG)/lignin(LN) double-interpenetrating network (DN) cryogels were prepared and investigated as porous, multifunctional materials for antimicrobial applications and water purification. The cryogel architecture combines the abundant oxygen-containing functional groups of XG and LN with an interconnected porous network generated under cryogenic conditions. The prepared networks were comprehensively characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), swelling analysis, and uniaxial mechanical testing to evaluate their structural, morphological, physicochemical, and mechanical properties. Their Cu²⁺ sorption performance was subsequently assessed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), and the experimental equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Sips isotherm models. The single-network (SN) XG-based materials exhibited Cu²⁺ sorption capacities of 62.13-109.81 mg/g, whereas the DN cryogels showed higher capacities of 111.87-120.84 mg/g. The Sips model provided the best description of the equilibrium data, with (R²) values of 0.991-0.994 and substantially lower (χ²) values than the Langmuir and Freundlich models, indicating heterogeneous sorption sites with finite saturation capacity. Importantly, the Cu²⁺-loaded SN and DNs exhibited sorption efficiency toward sulfate ions, demonstrating their potential for sequential contaminant removal. Sulfate sorption capacities reached 694.53 mg/g for the SN.X2/Cu²⁺ composite and up to 812.53 mg/g for the DN.XL3/Cu²⁺ composite. In addition, the prepared materials demonstrated antimicrobial activity against two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes) bacterial strains. The results demonstrate that XG/LN DN cryogels combine effective metal-ion and sulfate sorption with antimicrobial activity, providing promising bio-based platforms for water purification and potentially extending the functional lifetime of the material through sequential contaminant removal.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Functional Polymers, \"Petru Poni\" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania.",
    "Faculty of Chemistry, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Carol I Bd. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 5,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Maria Marinela Lazar",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-7666-1451"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Doina Humelnicu",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-9410-0154"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Irina Elena Raschip"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Raluca-Elena Avram",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-5306-7695"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Maria Valentina Dinu",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-6627-8679"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/98jt6z8y04wdj.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/gels12100915",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13704480",
  "id": "98jt6z8y04wdj",
  "issns": [
    "2310-2861"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929949",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2312|Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221573181",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13704480?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13704480",
  "pmid": "42929949",
  "published": "2026-10-11",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/98jt6z8y04wdj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:22:01Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42929949",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929949"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "earth",
      "origin": "openalex:2312|Adsorption and biosorption for pollutant removal",
      "subfield": "hydrology-soils"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Xanthan Gum/Lignin Double-Interpenetrating Network Cryogels: Preparation, Characterization, and Water Purification Performance.",
  "title_text": "Xanthan Gum/Lignin Double-Interpenetrating Network Cryogels: Preparation, Characterization, and Water Purification Performance.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:22:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/98jt6z8y04wdj",
  "venue": "Gels (Basel, Switzerland)",
  "versions": []
}