Hydrophobic CNCs were successfully prepared by grafting amine- and thiol terminated hydrocarbons to CNCs that have been previously coated with plant polyphenols. Hydrocarbons of various chain lengths can be used to tune the hydrophobicity of the modified CNCs. After the surface modification process, CNCs can be easily redispersed in nonpolar solvents highlighting the potential of the hydrophobic CNCs in, for example, CNC reinforced nanocomposites and non-aqueous formulations.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing microfibrillated polysaccharide, preferably microfibrillated cellulose. The invention also relates to microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method and use of the microfibrillated cellulose. The method of manufacturing microfibrillated cellulose comprises the following steps: a) Providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) Providing wood degrading enzymes c) Mixing pulp and enzymes d) Keeping the mixture in a continuous, flowing system of essentially cylindrical geometry (for example in a plug-flow reactor), e) Conveying the mixture to one or more mixing zones for recirculating and homogenizing the mixture, and f) Harvesting microfibrillated cellulose with a relatively narrow size distribution during the recirculation.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing microfibrillated polysaccharide, preferably microfibrillated cellulose. The invention also relates to microfibrillated cellulose obtainable by the method and use of the microfibrillated cellulose. The method of manufacturing microfibrillated cellulose comprises the following steps: a) Providing a hemicellulose containing pulp, b) Providing wood degrading enzymes c) Mixing pulp and enzymes d) Keeping the mixture in a continuous, flowing system of essentially cylindrical geometry (for example in a plug-flow reactor), e) Conveying the mixture to one or more mixing zones for recirculating and homogenizing the mixture, and f) Harvesting microfibrillated cellulose with a relatively narrow size distribution during the recirculation.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing an aerogel or a foam, the method comprising: forming a reaction mixture comprising a cellulose nanofibril gel, a first solvent, and one or more crosslinking agents under conditions sufficient to crosslink the gel; and contacting the crosslinked gel with a second solvent under conditions sufficient to dry the crosslinked gel, thereby forming an aerogel or foam.

Provided is a novel cyclic oligosaccharide derived from cellulose. The cyclic oligosaccharide is a cyclic oligosaccharide of Formula (1) having a β-1,4 glucosidic bond. In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent thereof, a plurality of the Rs may be identical or different, and n represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Provided is a novel cyclic oligosaccharide derived from cellulose. The cyclic oligosaccharide is a cyclic oligosaccharide of Formula (1) having a β-1,4 glucosidic bond. In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent thereof, a plurality of the Rs may be identical or different, and n represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Mechanically strong, biodegradable and reusable aerogels are disclosed, which can be made with a cross-linked cellulose ester, and which exhibit a low density and high porosity. The aerogels disclosed herein may be used as sorbent materials and can be modified with a hydrophobic and/or oleophilic agent.

The present disclosure provides a method for preparing an aerogel or a foam, the method comprising: forming a reaction mixture comprising a cellulose nanofibril gel, a first solvent, and one or more crosslinking agents under conditions sufficient to crosslink the gel; and contacting the crosslinked gel with a second solvent under conditions sufficient to dry the crosslinked gel, thereby forming an aerogel or foam.

A biopolymer film is provided that comprises a combination of: crystalline nano cellulose (CNC)/esterified crystalline nano cellulose (ECNC) reinforced with chitosan. The two polymer components can be present in any ratio but an approximate CNC to ECNC 70:30 ratio is preferred. The chitosan component is derived from exoskeletons of crustaceans. Also provided are methods of preparing biopolymer film and preparing food packaging components from said biopolymer film. The CNC/ECNC mixture is dissolved in an ethanol solution and the chitin is dissolved in acetic acid and mixed together to form a polymer blend.

The present invention provides a polysaccharide supported fluorinating agents which can be used in fluorination reactions. The invention particularly describes a new bacterial cellulose supported tetra-n-butyl ammonium fluoride complex [NBu4(Bac-Cell-OH)F] which is stable and non-hygroscopic. The invention further relates to a process for fluorination using the [NBu4(Bac-Cell-OH)F] complex.