Abstract: The present disclosure provides to a novel continuous processing method to prepare sheets comprising cellulose nanofibril (CNF) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Single screw extrusion was utilized to continuously process mechanically fibrillated cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) into sheets. Water-retention ability and stability of CNF suspensions containing different processing aids was assessed through centrifugation and zeta potential analysis. Subsequently, highly loaded pastes (up to ˜25 wt. % total solids content) containing the best performing processing aids (carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), xanthan gum (XG), and anionic polyacrylamide (aPAM)) and CNF were prepared using a Brabender with Banbury mixer-head at a dry weight ratio of either 0.1 to 1 or 0.15 to 1, respectively. Validation of the mixing procedure proved that highly loaded CNF pastes can be processed in under 40 minutes, saving up to 40 days in preparation and drying time.

Abstract: A substantially homogeneous composition comprising cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), wherein said CNC and CMC provide 85-95% of and 5-15% of total dry weight percentage of said CNC and CMC, respectively; a method of preparing a dried composition comprising CNC and CMC, and re-dispersing said dried composition into water to form a substantially homogeneous aqueous suspension without visible precipitate.

Abstract: The invention provides a cement paste composition comprising cement, cellulose nanocrystals, and optionally water. The cellulose nanocrystals can be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the flexural strength of cured cement prepared from the cement paste composition. The cellulose nanocrystals can also be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the workability of a cement paste prepared from the cement paste composition. The invention further provides a water reducing additive that reduces the amount of water required for desired workability of a cement composition. Use of the presence of the cellulose nanocrystals also results in an increased degree of hydration and cumulative heat evolution in comparison to a corresponding composition without the cellulose nanoparticles, thereby resulting in a higher total cure of the cement paste composition upon curing.

Abstract: The invention relates to reinforced epoxy nanocomposites, for example, cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)/epoxy nanocomposites, and methods for preparation thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a cement paste composition comprising cement, cellulose nanocrystals, and optionally water. The cellulose nanocrystals can be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the flexural strength of cured cement prepared from the cement paste composition. The cellulose nanocrystals can also be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the workability of a cement paste prepared from the cement paste composition. The invention further provides a water reducing additive that reduces the amount of water required for desired workability of a cement composition. Use of the presence of the cellulose nanocrystals also results in an increased degree of hydration and cumulative heat evolution in comparison to a corresponding composition without the cellulose nanoparticles, thereby resulting in a higher total cure of the cement paste composition upon curing.

Abstract: Natural biopolymers in the form of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are shown to have the required characteristics to serve as chemically reactive biotemplates for metallic and semiconductor nanomaterial synthesis. Silver (Ag), gold (Au), copper (Cu) and platinum (Pt), cadmium sulfide (CdS), zinc sulfide (ZnS) and lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticles, nanoparticle chains and nanowires may be synthesized on CNCs by exposing metallic precursor salts to a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and a reducing agent. The nanoparticle density and particle size may be controlled by varying the concentration of CTAB, pH of the salt solution, as well as the reduction time or reaction time between the reducing agent and the metal precursor.