The present invention relates to a biocompatible nanoparticle and a use thereof and, more specifically, to a biocompatible nanoparticle formed by irradiation an electron beam to an aqueous solution comprising at least one substance selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a derivative thereof and a polyethylene glycol, thereby inducing inter-molecular cross-linking or intra-molecular cross-linking, and to a use of the biocompatible nanoparticle in a drug carrier, a contrast agent, a diagnostic agent or an intestinal adhesion prevention agent or for disease prevention and treatment.

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of essential oil modified nanocellulose and applications thereof. The invention further provides a process wherein the essential oil is covalently bonded with the nanocellulose such that the essential oil does not leach out. The edible coatings comprising the developed essential oil modified nanocellulose thus exhibit a prolonged antimicrobial effect.

The present invention provides a process for the preparation of essential oil modified nanocellulose and applications thereof. The invention further provides a process wherein the essential oil is covalently bonded with the nanocellulose such that the essential oil does not leach out. The edible coatings comprising the developed essential oil modified nanocellulose thus exhibit a prolonged antimicrobial effect.

Nano-emulsions and nano-latexes comprising functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a surfactant that impacts the stability and size of the emulsion droplets of oil-in water emulsions. Stable emulsions can be accessed by adding a desired organic, non-water soluble molecule as the oil phase to an aqueous CNC suspension followed by agitation. Depending on the functionalization of the CNCs, their hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance can be modified, which allows the ability to control the stability and droplet size of the emulsion. Methods for producing nano-emulsions and nano-latexes, when the oil phase contains a polymerizable monomer, are disclosed.

Nano-emulsions and nano-latexes comprising functionalized cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a surfactant that impacts the stability and size of the emulsion droplets of oil-in water emulsions. Stable emulsions can be accessed by adding a desired organic, non-water soluble molecule as the oil phase to an aqueous CNC suspension followed by agitation. Depending on the functionalization of the CNCs, their hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance can be modified, which allows the ability to control the stability and droplet size of the emulsion. Methods for producing nano-emulsions and nano-latexes, when the oil phase contains a polymerizable monomer, are disclosed.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.

A nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel is disclosed. The nanofibrillar cellulose hydrogel may comprise azido-modified nanofibrillar cellulose having a substituent represented by the formula O(CH.sub.2).sub.nS(O).sub.m-L.sub.1-N.sub.3, wherein n is in the range of 1 to 10; m is 0 or 1; and L.sub.1 is a linker; wherein the substituent is attached to a carbon of one or more glucosyl units of the azido-modified nanofibrillar cellulose, thus forming an ether bond to the carbon.

The present application provides a dispersion dispersed satisfactorily cellulose nanofibers, powdery cellulose nanofibers obtained by pulverizing thereof, a resin composition obtained by blending thereof and a molding raw material for a 3D printer by using thereof. It is possible to obtain a composition uniformly finely dispersed the cellulose nanofibers by treating a mixture containing unmodified cellulose nanofibers and a dispersant using a high speed agitating Medialess disperser, and followed by pulverizing the composition to blend with a resin and a rubber component. Also, a resin composition improved in mechanical properties and heat resistance, obtained by blending the powdery cellulose nanofibers above with a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, is useful as a molding material for a 3D printer.

The present application provides a dispersion dispersed satisfactorily cellulose nanofibers, powdery cellulose nanofibers obtained by pulverizing thereof, a resin composition obtained by blending thereof and a molding raw material for a 3D printer by using thereof. It is possible to obtain a composition uniformly finely dispersed the cellulose nanofibers by treating a mixture containing unmodified cellulose nanofibers and a dispersant using a high speed agitating Medialess disperser, and followed by pulverizing the composition to blend with a resin and a rubber component. Also, a resin composition improved in mechanical properties and heat resistance, obtained by blending the powdery cellulose nanofibers above with a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin, is useful as a molding material for a 3D printer.