Pulps, cellulose ether products, and methods of making pulps are described.

A method of making a proppant-gel matrix comprising: a) hydrating a gelling agent to form a hydrated gelling agent; b) adding a basic compound to the hydrated gelling agent to form a basic hydrated gelling agent having a pH in the range of 11.5 to 14.0; c) mixing the basic hydrated gelling agent and a proppant to form a basic hydrated gelling system; and d) adding a crosslinking agent to the basic hydrated gelling system to form the proppant-gel matrix, is disclosed. The proppant-gel matrix can then be used as a fracturing fluid in a hydraulic fracturing process.

A method for the synthesis of alkyl ω-carboxy(hydroxyethyl) polysaccharides is described. The method includes methylating or ethylating a polysaccharide or providing a methylated or ethylated polysaccharide, hydroxyethylating the methylated or ethylated polysaccharide, and oxidizing the hydroxyethylated polysaccharide to form the ω-carboxy(hydroxyethyl) polysaccharide. A method for the synthesis of oxidized polysaccharides is also described. The method includes hydroxypropylating a polysaccharide and oxidizing the hydroxypropylated polysaccharides. A method for the production of a solid capable of forming a hydrogel is also described. The method includes combining a first solution comprising an oxidized oligo(hydroxypropyl) polysaccharide bearing one or more ketone groups with a second solution comprising an amine substituted polysaccharide to form a third solution, and removing solvent from the third solution to form the solid, or adding an additional solvent to the third solution to precipitate the solid. Novel polysaccharides and hydrogels prepared according to these methods are also described.

The present disclosure generally relates to a process for manufacturing a processable dried cellulose nanomaterial using a co-solvent of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), of which unique physical/chemical properties enable facile modification/derivatization. This present disclosure also relates to materials and process of generating of superhydrophobic surface coating using hydrophobic carboxylic acid modified cellulose nanofibers. Both the processes and the products thereof are within the scope of this disclosure.

The present invention is directed to a flowable hemostatic paste comprising a crosslinked carboxymethyl cellulose and at least one non-toxic dispersant. More specifically the present invention relates to a hemostatic paste containing citric acid cross-linked CMC, which is suspended or dispersed as a powder in a mixture of a first non-toxic glycerol-containing hygroscopic dispersant and a second non-toxic alcohol functionalized dispersant comprising propylene glycol or 1,3-butanediol.

A light-colored polycarboxylated polysaccharide tanning agent, and a preparation method and use thereof are provided. The light-colored polycarboxylated polysaccharide tanning agent includes the following raw materials: a polysaccharide, an organic solvent, a catalyst, and hydrogen peroxide. Based on a weight of the polysaccharide, a weight of the organic solvent accounts for 1 wt % to 15 wt %, a weight of the catalyst accounts for 0.05 wt % to 2 wt %, and a weight of the hydrogen peroxide accounts for 30 wt % to 80 wt %. The preparation method provided by the present disclosure adopts a two-phase solution system. Compared with the existing preparation technologies, the preparation method of the present disclosure can efficiently extract and remove colored substances produced during an oxidation process, and can timely block a polymerization reaction of the colored substances with an oxidized polysaccharide, such as to significantly reduce a chromaticity of an oxidized product.

A process for producing a crosslinked cellulose ether including contacting an activated cellulose material with (i) an aqueous crosslinking agent emulsion, wherein the aqueous crosslinking agent emulsion is a mixture of (ia) at least one crosslinking agent; (ib) water; and (ic) any other optional components desired; and (ii) at least one etherification reagent; wherein the aqueous crosslinking agent emulsion (i) and the at least one etherification reagent (ii) react with the activated cellulose material to form the crosslinked cellulose ether; and a crosslinked cellulose ether produced by the above process.

A process for producing a crosslinked cellulose ether including the steps of: (a) contacting at least one cellulose material with at least one alkalization reagent to form an activated cellulose material; (b) contacting the activated cellulose material of step (a) with at least one etherification reagent to form an uncrosslinked cellulose ether; (c) subjecting the cellulose ether of step (b) to a simultaneous or stepwise washing and/or granulating step; (d) adding at least one crosslinking agent to the uncrosslinked cellulose ether during the washing and/or granulating of step (c) to form a crosslinked cellulose ether; and (e) any other optional components desired; and a crosslinked cellulose ether produced by the above process.

The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

The present invention provides crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose having high elastic modulus coupled with high absorbance capacity when swollen in simulated gastric fluid/water (1:8) and simulated intestinal fluids. The invention further provides methods of making the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, compositions comprising the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose and methods of using the crosslinked carboxymethylcellulose, for example, for treating overweight or obesity or for enhancing glycemic control.