The present invention describes methods of treating cellulosic materials with a composition comprising hemicellulose and/or lignin and sucrose fatty acid esters to modify barrier functions of such materials. The methods as disclosed use hemicellulose or lignin combined with saccharide fatty acid esters to form films on cellulosic materials, including that the disclosure provides products made by such methods. The materials thus treated exhibit more effective barrier functions, and mechanical properties, and may be used in any application where such features are desired.

A coating for a water-soluble granule comprises a solubilized organosolv lignin as a component for the purpose of limiting the transport of fertilizer through the coating wherein the coating biodegradable. A microporous biodegradable coating includes a blend of an organosolv lignin and cellulous acetate.

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.

Compositions and methods of protecting plants from cold damage are provided. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising plant-based nano- and/or micron-sized particles which, when applied to plants or plant parts such as buds, form a non-hydrophilic deposit or film with low thermal conductivity, thereby conferring protection against damage from ice nucleation and cold stress.

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.

A multimodal coating and method of coating a substrate are disclosed. The coating includes a structural framework: and a medium embedded in the structural framework forming an intumescent coating, the intumescent coating configured to undergo intumescent expansion of an outermost coating of the medium upon heating.

Compositions and methods of protecting plants from cold damage are provided. In particular, the invention provides compositions comprising plant-based nano- and/or micron-sized particles which, when applied to plants or plant parts such as buds, form a non-hydrophilic deposit or film with low thermal conductivity, thereby conferring protection against damage from ice nucleation and cold stress.

A powder coating composition includes: a film-forming resin; a lignin polymer that is substantially free of sulfonate or sulfonic acid groups; and a crosslinker reactive with functional groups of the film-forming resin and the lignin polymer. The lignin polymer includes at least 5 weight % of the powder coating composition, based on the total solids weight of the powder coating composition. Further, when cured to form a coating, the film-forming resin and lignin polymer react and chemically bond with the crosslinker to form a binder of the coating.

This disclosure provides a polymer composite including a polymer, nanocellulose, and a compatibilizer, wherein the nanocellulose comprises cellulose nanocrystals and/or cellulose nanofibrils, and wherein the compatibilizer comprises a maleated polymer. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose includes lignin-coated nanocellulose. The polymer may be selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polylactide, or poly(ethylene terephthalate). The maleated polymer may be selected from maleated polyethylene, maleated polypropylene, maleated polystyrene, maleated polylactide, or maleated poly(ethylene terephthalate. Other variations provide a process for compatibilizing a polymer with nanocellulose, comprising: providing a polymer; providing nanocellulose comprising cellulose nanocrystals and/or cellulose nanofibrils; providing a maleated polymer; and combining the polymer, the nanocellulose, and the maleated polymer, wherein the maleated polymer functions as a compatibilizer between the polymer and the nanocellulose.

The present invention relates to a new aqueous curable binder composition comprising a polyphenolic macromolecular compound which bears a multitude of catechol radicals (dihydroxybenzene), preferably lignosulfonate salts and condensed tannins and mixtures thereof, and a polyamine functional compound comprising primary and/or secondary and/or tertiary and/or quaternary amine functional groups, suitable for bonding particulate matter, such as fibers, more particulary mineral wool fibers, or particles, such as wood particles.