Using an organic compound having a bottle brush structure, a material having softness and resilience and having excellent low-friction performance (SRT material) can be provided. Preferably, the SRT material contains a reinforcing filler, and may contain a lubricating liquid to be gelled.

Provided is a method for producing cellulose nanofibers by refining pulp fibers, wherein the method enables obtaining cellulose nanofibers in which a decrease in a molecular weight of cellulose is suppressed, and which can demonstrate superior strength and the like. The present invention is a method for producing cellulose nanofibers, the method including: pretreating pulp fibers in a slurry; and refining, using a high-pressure homogenizer, the pulp fibers in the slurry, the pulp fibers being pretreated, wherein a weight average molecular weight of cellulose of cellulose nanofibers obtained through the refining is 65% or more of a weight average molecular weight of cellulose of the pulp fibers before the pretreating.

Provided is a method for producing cellulose nanofibers by refining pulp fibers, wherein the method enables obtaining cellulose nanofibers in which a decrease in a molecular weight of cellulose is suppressed, and which can demonstrate superior strength and the like. The present invention is a method for producing cellulose nanofibers, the method including: pretreating pulp fibers in a slurry; and refining, using a high-pressure homogenizer, the pulp fibers in the slurry, the pulp fibers being pretreated, wherein a weight average molecular weight of cellulose of cellulose nanofibers obtained through the refining is 65% or more of a weight average molecular weight of cellulose of the pulp fibers before the pretreating.

The present invention provides an ionic liquid represented by the following chemical formula (I):
[(CH.sub.3).sub.3N(CH.sub.2).sub.2OH].sup.+[NH.sub.2-L-COO].sup.(I) where L is (CH.sub.2).sub.2 or (CH.sub.2).sub.3. The present invention also provides an ionic liquid composition containing an ionic liquid; and water. The ionic liquid is represented by the above chemical formula (I). A molar ratio of [(CH.sub.3).sub.3N(CH.sub.2).sub.2OH].sup.+ to [NH.sub.2-L-COO].sup. is not less than 0.86 and not more than 1.12. A weight ratio of the water to the ionic liquid composition is not more than 4.7%. The present invention provides an ionic liquid capable of dissolving cellulose without an cellulose-degrading enzyme (namely, an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing cellulose).

A method for producing a microbial cellulose pulp for the production of viscose dope, the method comprising the step of: exposing a microbial cellulose to a volume of water to form the microbial cellulose pulp for the production of viscose dope, wherein the cellulose concentration in the microbial cellulose pulp is less than 0.040 g of cellulose per mL of pulp.

The present invention provides for a method of fermenting or saccharifying a biomass comprising: (a) (i) contacting a biomass comprising a polysaccharide, and an ionic liquid (IL) to form a first solution, or (ii) providing the first solution comprising the biomass and the IL, (b) contacting the first solution and carbon dioxide such that the first solution results in a lower pH, (c) introducing (i) an enzyme capable of enzymatically to breakdown at least one bond in the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, and/or (ii) a microorganism that capable of producing the enzyme and/or fermenting the polysaccharide or a breakdown product of the polysaccharide, such that the polysaccharide is at least partially broken down and the first solution is transformed into a second solution.

The present invention provides an ionic liquid composition containing an ionic liquid and water. The ionic liquid composition does not contain an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing cellulose. The ionic liquid is represented by the following chemical formula (I): [(CH.sub.3).sub.3N(CH.sub.2).sub.2OH].sup.+[NH.sub.2-L-CHNH.sub.2COO].sup. (I); where L is absent or a linker. A molar ratio of [(CH.sub.3).sub.3N(CH.sub.2).sub.2OH].sup.+ to [NH.sub.2-L-CHNH.sub.2COO].sup. is not less than 0.87 and not more than 1.14. A weight ratio of the water to the ionic liquid composition is not more than 7.3%. The present invention provides an ionic liquid composition capable of dissolving cellulose without a cellulose-degrading enzyme, namely, an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing cellulose.

The invention relates to a high-concentration mixer (1) for producing a suspension (2), comprising a stationary container (3) and an agitator (8) arranged in the container axis (7), which agitator is connected to a motor via a flange (9) provided in the region of the container bottom (4), which motor is designed for rotationally driving the agitator (8) for mixing the suspension (2) provided in the container (3), wherein the agitator (8) has helical coils (11) which bring about a vertical downward flow (12) of the suspension (2) in the centre of the container (3) and a vertical upward flow (13) of the suspension (2) in the region of the container wall, wherein the flange (9) comprises at least one blade (15) provided on its circumference, which is designed for wiping the suspension (2) from the container (3) and for supporting the vertical upward flow (13) of the suspension (2) in the region of the container wall.

A method for producing parenchymal cell cellulose by using a high consistency alkali treatment and an optional refinement step, as well as an apparatus for its manufacture.

A method for producing parenchymal cell cellulose by using a high consistency alkali treatment and an optional refinement step, as well as an apparatus for its manufacture.