Synthesis and characterization of carboxymethyl xylan-g-poly(propylene oxide) and its application in films.

•The carboxymethyl xylan-g-poly(propylene oxide) was successfully synthesized.•It firstly provided a visual evidence for the structure of grafted xylan at single molecular level.•A serial of CMX-g-PPO/CS films were prepared without addition of any plasticizers and characterized by various physical methods.•It provided a visual evidence for grafted xylan.•CMX-g-PPO/CS films were prepared without plasticizers and characterized by physical methods.