Provided is a fibrillated chemically modified cellulose fiber, which has a type-I cellulose crystallinity of at least 50%, an anionic charge density of 0.10-2.00 meq/g, and an average fiber diameter of greater than 500 nm. Also, provided is a fibrillated chemically modified cellulose fiber, wherein the value (A/B) obtained by dividing the viscosity A measured at a shear rate of 0.01/sec by the viscosity B measured at a shear rate of 1000/sec in an aqueous dispersion having a solid content of 1 mass % is at least 100. These fibers have high water retention and high thixotropy.

The present invention provides a process for producing a nanocellulose material, comprising: fractionating a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock in the presence of a solvent for lignin and water, but no acid catalyst, to generate cellulose-rich solids; and then mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form a nanocellulose material comprising cellulose nanofibrils and/or cellulose nanocrystals. Many organic or inorganic solvents are possible. In some embodiments, the solvent for lignin is an oxygenated organic compound, such as a C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alcohol, e.g. ethanol, ethylene glycol, propanol, propanediol, glycerol, butanol, or butanediol. The solvent for lignin may be an aromatic alcohol, such as phenol, cresol, or benzyl alcohol. The solvent for lignin may be a ketone, an aldehyde, or an ether, such as methyl ethyl ketone or diethyl ether. The solvent for lignin may be a non-oxygenated alkane, olefin, or aromatic hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the solvent for lignin is an ionic liquid.

The present invention provides a process for producing a nanocellulose material, comprising: fractionating a lignocellulosic biomass feedstock in the presence of a solvent for lignin and water, but no acid catalyst, to generate cellulose-rich solids; and then mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form a nanocellulose material comprising cellulose nanofibrils and/or cellulose nanocrystals. Many organic or inorganic solvents are possible. In some embodiments, the solvent for lignin is an oxygenated organic compound, such as a C.sub.1-C.sub.18 alcohol, e.g. ethanol, ethylene glycol, propanol, propanediol, glycerol, butanol, or butanediol. The solvent for lignin may be an aromatic alcohol, such as phenol, cresol, or benzyl alcohol. The solvent for lignin may be a ketone, an aldehyde, or an ether, such as methyl ethyl ketone or diethyl ether. The solvent for lignin may be a non-oxygenated alkane, olefin, or aromatic hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the solvent for lignin is an ionic liquid.

For the isolating of nanocrystals from a lignocellulose- or chitin-containing starting material, the starting material is exposed to an oxidative effect of periodate anions in an aqueous suspension. The pH value of the aqueous suspension is adjusted to greater than pH 7.0. The periodate anions are provided in a quantity of at least 5 mol per kg of the starting material, and the starting material is exposed to the oxidative effect of the periodate anions in the aqueous suspension for a period of at least one day.

For the isolating of nanocrystals from a lignocellulose- or chitin-containing starting material, the starting material is exposed to an oxidative effect of periodate anions in an aqueous suspension. The pH value of the aqueous suspension is adjusted to greater than pH 7.0. The periodate anions are provided in a quantity of at least 5 mol per kg of the starting material, and the starting material is exposed to the oxidative effect of the periodate anions in the aqueous suspension for a period of at least one day.

A polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite as disclosed comprises a polymer, nanocellulose, and lignin, wherein lignin forms a hydrophobic interface between the polymer and the nanocellulose. In some variations, a process is disclosed for producing a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material, comprising: fractionating lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of an acid, a solvent for lignin, and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin, wherein lignin deposits onto fiber surfaces or into fiber pores; mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form a hydrophobic nanocellulose material comprising cellulose fibrils and/or cellulose crystals; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to generate fermentable hemicellulosic sugars; fermenting the fermentable hemicellulosic sugars to generate a monomer or monomer precursor; polymerizing the monomer to produce a polymer; and combining the polymer with the lignin-coated nanocellulose to generate a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material for use in a wide variety of products.

A polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite as disclosed comprises a polymer, nanocellulose, and lignin, wherein lignin forms a hydrophobic interface between the polymer and the nanocellulose. In some variations, a process is disclosed for producing a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material, comprising: fractionating lignocellulosic biomass in the presence of an acid, a solvent for lignin, and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin, wherein lignin deposits onto fiber surfaces or into fiber pores; mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form a hydrophobic nanocellulose material comprising cellulose fibrils and/or cellulose crystals; hydrolyzing the hemicellulose to generate fermentable hemicellulosic sugars; fermenting the fermentable hemicellulosic sugars to generate a monomer or monomer precursor; polymerizing the monomer to produce a polymer; and combining the polymer with the lignin-coated nanocellulose to generate a polymer-nanocellulose-lignin composite material for use in a wide variety of products.

The disclosure relates to molecularly-imprinted cross-linked micelles that can selectively hydrolyze carbohydrates.

A method for processing fibrous cellulosic material from algae comprising: (i) suspending the fibrous cellulosic material in water to form a suspension; and (ii) passing the suspension through at least one chamber having a large gap, at a high shear to produce cellulose nanofibrils. Also described are cellulose nanofibrils and cellulose nanocrystals, products, methods and uses of the same.

A method for processing fibrous cellulosic material from algae comprising: (i) suspending the fibrous cellulosic material in water to form a suspension; and (ii) passing the suspension through at least one chamber having a large gap, at a high shear to produce cellulose nanofibrils. Also described are cellulose nanofibrils and cellulose nanocrystals, products, methods and uses of the same.