A Dual-Functional Nano-Based Platform: Dialdehyde-β-Cyclodextrin-Modified Cellulose Nanowhiskers for Enhanced Curcumin Delivery and Efficient Dye Removal

Abstract

In the current study, dialdehyde-β-cyclodextrin (DA-β-CD) grafted cellulose nanowhisker (β-CD-CNW) was developed as a new platform for JGB (Janus Green B) dye removal as well as Curcumin (CUR) delivery. While CNWs and their derivatives typically adsorb cationic/anionic dyes through electrostatic interactions, β-CD-CNW enables unique host–guest complexation that facilitates: (1) dye adsorption regardless of molecular charge (58 mg/g capacity for JGB), (2) effective encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs (85% CUR release over 72h), and (3) potential selective adsorption based on molecular size/shape. DA-β-CD, unlike, β-CD could decorated at the surface of aminated CNW through a very simple and straightforward reaction. The results showed that despite its partial ring opening during preparation using periodate oxidation, DA-β-CD still maintains its ability to form an inclusion complex. The ability of DA-β-CD to form an inclusion complex was assessed simply by color change of phenolphthalein (Php) during complexation by the naked eye. Evaluation of modified CNW demonstrated successful CUR encapsulation and controlled release profiles for curcumin as a hydrophobic drug. Furthermore, it showed suitable antioxidant activity (70%). In addition, it exhibited enhanced dye removal efficacy with about 58mg/g sorption capacity and the kinetics study showed that the adsorption rate of JGB dye aligns with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. This research highlights the dual functionality of DA-β-CD decorated cellulose nanowhiskers in drug delivery and dye removal, indicating modified CNW may be considered for sustainable applications in pharmaceuticals and environmental science.

Graphical Abstract