Xanthan Gum/Lignin Double-Interpenetrating Network Cryogels: Preparation, Characterization, and Water Purification Performance.
- 1Department of Functional Polymers, "Petru Poni" Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Grigore Ghica Voda Alley 41A, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
- 2Faculty of Chemistry, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, Carol I Bd. 11, 700506 Iasi, Romania.
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.
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BibTeX
@article{lazar2026xanthan,
title = {{Xanthan Gum/Lignin Double-Interpenetrating Network Cryogels: Preparation, Characterization, and Water Purification Performance.}},
author = {Maria Marinela Lazar and Doina Humelnicu and Irina Elena Raschip and Raluca-Elena Avram and Maria Valentina Dinu},
journal = {Gels (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/gels12100915},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929949},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Xanthan Gum/Lignin Double-Interpenetrating Network Cryogels: Preparation, Characterization, and Water Purification Performance.
AU - Maria Marinela Lazar
AU - Doina Humelnicu
AU - Irina Elena Raschip
AU - Raluca-Elena Avram
AU - Maria Valentina Dinu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/11
JO - Gels (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/gels12100915
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42929949
AB - 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.
SN - 2310-2861
ER -