The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing a hydrophilic composition including intimately mixing a silicone component including at least one polysiloxane and a polymer component, and to hydrophobic polymer compositions prepared thereby. One aspect of the disclosure provides an article having a major exterior surface, the article comprising an intimate mixture of a silicone component including at least one polysiloxane; and a polymer component including at least one hydrophilic polymer having a water-absorption capacity of at least 50 wt. %; wherein the silicone component and the polymer component are present in the mixture in a dry weight ratio within the range of 99.9:0.1 to 30:70. In certain desirable embodiments as otherwise described herein, the intimate mixture is disposed at an exterior surface of the article, e.g., at the major exterior surface of the article.

The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing a hydrophilic composition including intimately mixing a silicone component including at least one polysiloxane and a polymer component, and to hydrophobic polymer compositions prepared thereby. One aspect of the disclosure provides an article having a major exterior surface, the article comprising an intimate mixture of a silicone component including at least one polysiloxane; and a polymer component including at least one hydrophilic polymer having a water-absorption capacity of at least 50 wt. %; wherein the silicone component and the polymer component are present in the mixture in a dry weight ratio within the range of 99.9:0.1 to 30:70. In certain desirable embodiments as otherwise described herein, the intimate mixture is disposed at an exterior surface of the article, e.g., at the major exterior surface of the article.

A visibly transparent, homogeneous UV-blocking cellulose nanocrystal/lignin nanocomposite film and a method of making the same. The film is made by dispersing cellulose nanocrystals and lignin in an aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a dispersion; casting the dispersion onto a substrate; and evaporating the aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a homogeneous, visibly transparent film that at least partially absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

A visibly transparent, homogeneous UV-blocking cellulose nanocrystal/lignin nanocomposite film and a method of making the same. The film is made by dispersing cellulose nanocrystals and lignin in an aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a dispersion; casting the dispersion onto a substrate; and evaporating the aqueous, alkaline solution to yield a homogeneous, visibly transparent film that at least partially absorbs ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

A method of processing municipal solid waste includes extracting food waste, inert materials, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the municipal solid waste, shredding the municipal solid waste and thereby generating a product feed comprising at least 99.7% by volume cellulose-based materials and plastic. The product feed is conveyed to a forming system and a manufacturing product is created out of the product feed with the forming system.

A method of processing municipal solid waste includes extracting food waste, inert materials, and ferrous and non-ferrous metals from the municipal solid waste, shredding the municipal solid waste and thereby generating a product feed comprising at least 99.7% by volume cellulose-based materials and plastic. The product feed is conveyed to a forming system and a manufacturing product is created out of the product feed with the forming system.

An aqueous NFC containing tail-seal adhesive includes: (a) water; (b) nanofibrillated cellulose; and (c) one or more of: (i) a water-soluble cellulose derivative; or (ii) a water soluble polyol; or (iii) a viscosity modifier other than a water soluble cellulose derivative.

An aqueous NFC containing tail-seal adhesive includes: (a) water; (b) nanofibrillated cellulose; and (c) one or more of: (i) a water-soluble cellulose derivative; or (ii) a water soluble polyol; or (iii) a viscosity modifier other than a water soluble cellulose derivative.

An aqueous NFC containing tail-seal adhesive includes: (a) water; (b) nanofibrillated cellulose; and (c) one or more of: (i) a water-soluble cellulose derivative; or (ii) a water soluble polyol; or (iii) a viscosity modifier other than a water soluble cellulose derivative.

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.