The invention relates to a substrate intended in use to contact a fouling agent, the substrate including a coating comprising polysaccharide, which coating serves to reduce or prevent fouling of the substrate caused by contact from the fouling agent, in comparison to an equivalent uncoated substrate. The invention also relates to the anti-fouling coating, to apparatus comprising such coating and to related methods of reducing or preventing fouling of a substrate intended in use to contact a fouling agent.

A method for producing surface modified nanocellulose material is described comprising: (i) providing a mixture of an organic acid and at least one solvent; (ii) providing a fibrous cellulosic material is an unprocessed form: (iii) suspending the fibrous cellulosic material in the mixture of the organic acid at a temperature of less than 100? C. to form a suspension; (iv) maintaining the suspension for a period of time to provide a surface modified fibrous cellulose material; and (v) passing the suspension through at least one chamber having a large gap, at a high shear to produce surface modified cellulose nanofibrils, wherein the organic acid is a dicarboxylic acid, a tricarboxylic acid or a mixture thereof. Also described are surface modified cellulose nanofibrils, surface modified nanocrystals and uses of the same.

This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.

Polymeric compositions are provided that include a 1,2,5-pentanetriol trialkylester plasticizer. The plasticizer has low odor, has good compatibility with a variety of polymers such as hydrophilic polymeric materials, and can be formed from renewable resources. Further, the plasticizer can be used at temperatures often encountered during hot melt processing of polymeric compositions.

Polymeric compositions are provided that include a 1,2,5-pentanetriol trialkylester plasticizer. The plasticizer has low odor, has good compatibility with a variety of polymers such as hydrophilic polymeric materials, and can be formed from renewable resources. Further, the plasticizer can be used at temperatures often encountered during hot melt processing of polymeric compositions.

This invention relates generally to a method of treating a crop with an agricultural product, where the method includes the steps of incorporating a cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsion into an agrochemical to produce the agricultural product and applying said agricultural product to said crop. The cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsion includes a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed oil phase, where the continuous aqueous phase includes between about 0.25% and about 3% (w/w) of sulfonated cellulose nanocrystals, between about 0.25% and about 1% (w/w) of co-stabilizing biopolymer, and up to about 3.0% (w/w) of cationic crosslinker. The dispersed oil phase includes a plant-based oil.

This invention relates generally to a method of treating a crop with an agricultural product, where the method includes the steps of incorporating a cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsion into an agrochemical to produce the agricultural product and applying said agricultural product to said crop. The cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsion includes a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed oil phase, where the continuous aqueous phase includes between about 0.25% and about 3% (w/w) of sulfonated cellulose nanocrystals, between about 0.25% and about 1% (w/w) of co-stabilizing biopolymer, and up to about 3.0% (w/w) of cationic crosslinker. The dispersed oil phase includes a plant-based oil.