The invention relates to a method for producing a crosslinked lignin in particle form using a hydrothermal treatment of a liquid, which is made of black liquor, contains lignin and a crosslinker or a precursor thereof, and has an electrical activity ranging from more than 15 mS/cm, preferably more than 25 mS/cm, to 400 mS/cm, and to the crosslinked lignin produced using the aforementioned method. The invention additionally relates to crosslinked lignin particles which have a glass transition temperature Tg of at least 160° C. or no glass transition temperature and an STSA surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2/g and to rubber articles, in particular technical rubber articles or tires, which comprise crosslinked lignin particles as a filler.

A blended furnish with improved performance characteristics while reducing environmental impact, when applied to a substrate and methods of making and using blended furnish are provided. A composite product using a blended furnish is also provided.

Methods of selectively modifying lignin, polycarboxylated products thereof, and methods of deriving aromatic compounds therefrom. The methods comprise electrochemically oxidizing lignin using stable nitroxyl radicals to selectively oxidize primary hydroxyls on β-O-4 phenylpropanoid units to corresponding carboxylic acids while leaving the secondary hydroxyls unchanged. The oxidation results in polycarboxylated lignin in the form of a polymeric β-hydroxy acid. The polymeric β-hydroxy acid has a high loading of carboxylic acid and can be isolated in acid form, deprotonated, and/or converted to a salt. The β-hydroxy acid, anion, or salt can also be subjected to acidolysis to generate various aromatic monomers or oligomers. The initial oxidation of lignin to the polycarboxylated form renders the lignin more susceptible to acidolysis and thereby enhances the yield of aromatic monomers and oligomers obtained through acidolysis.

Methods of selectively modifying lignin, polycarboxylated products thereof, and methods of deriving aromatic compounds therefrom. The methods comprise electrochemically oxidizing lignin using stable nitroxyl radicals to selectively oxidize primary hydroxyls on β-O-4 phenylpropanoid units to corresponding carboxylic acids while leaving the secondary hydroxyls unchanged. The oxidation results in polycarboxylated lignin in the form of a polymeric β-hydroxy acid. The polymeric β-hydroxy acid has a high loading of carboxylic acid and can be isolated in acid form, deprotonated, and/or converted to a salt. The β-hydroxy acid, anion, or salt can also be subjected to acidolysis to generate various aromatic monomers or oligomers. The initial oxidation of lignin to the polycarboxylated form renders the lignin more susceptible to acidolysis and thereby enhances the yield of aromatic monomers and oligomers obtained through acidolysis.

The invention relates to an aqueous binder composition for mineral fibres.

The invention relates to a method for producing oxidized lignins.

The invention is directed to a mineral fibre product having a low water leachable chloride content which is suitable as non-corrosive thermal and/or acoustic insulation.

Described herein are functionalizing nanocomplexes comprising one or more polyphenol molecules; and one or more biomolecules. Further described herein are functionalized cells comprising one or more of the nanocomplexes. In some embodiments, the biomolecules can be therapeutic agents and the functionalized cells can be administered to patients to provide improved delivery (e.g., dosing and specificity) of the therapeutic agent.

Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity, hydrophobic cellulose. 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 depositing lignin onto cellulose fibers to produce lignin-coated cellulose materials (such as dissolving pulp). The crystallinity of the cellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. 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 hydrophobic cellulose to form completely renewable composites.

The present invention is directed to a mineral fibre product, comprising mineral fibres in contact with a binder resulting from the curing of an aqueous binder composition free of phenol and formaldehyde.