Carboxylated xylan nanoparticles prepared by sequential periodate-chlorite oxidation and their application as a highly effective bio-based adsorbent

Xylan is one of the main biomass components and is considered to have the potential for environmental remediation due to its renewability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. In this study, xylan extracted from esparto pulp was prepared as xylan nanoparticles (XNPs), which were subsequently modified to carboxylated xylan nanoparticles (CXNPs) through sequential periodate-chlorite oxidation. Characterization of CXNPs demonstrated that the modified CXNPs possessed a core-shell structure, with dicarboxylic acid xylan as the shell and xylan hydrate crystals as the core. The adsorption study revealed the CXNPs with carboxyl groups on the surface exhibited a high adsorption capacity to methylene blue (MB) at 919.6 mg/g. The adsorption mechanism analysis indicated that the adsorption process was controlled by electrostatic interactionsThese results provide a promising modification approach for the development of xylan-based adsorbent materials that can assist in environmental remediation.