Abstract: The disclosure provides redispersible CNC. The CNC disclosed herein is redispersible in non-polar and polar organic solvents as well as polar and non-polar polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The disclosure surprisingly also provides redispersible CNC bearing improved redispersion in aqueous systems and most particularly in high ionic strength aqueous systems which usually require significant mixing energy to achieve dispersion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a core-shell nanocomposite material comprising an intrinsically conductive polymer (ICP) and surface-modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as well as synthesis for preparing same and its use thereof in various applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for preparing coated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and relates as well to coated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) obtainable by the process described herein. These new CNC hybrid nanomaterials are expected to be useful, for example, for the conjugation and electrostatic complexation with various functional moieties such as free metal ions, carboxylic acids, and epoxy and aldehyde derivatives. The disclosure further relates to a method to fabricate N-doped carbon nanomaterial from the coated CNCs.

Abstract: The disclosure provides redispersible CNC. The CNC disclosed herein is redispersible in non-polar and polar organic solvents as well as polar and non-polar polymers such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The disclosure surprisingly also provides redispersible CNC bearing improved redispersion in aqueous systems and most particularly in high ionic strength aqueous systems which usually require significant mixing energy to achieve dispersion.

Abstract: Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-based supramolecular materials, a method for their preparation and their use in thermoplastic and thermoset polymer composites are disclosed. Supramolecular materials of NCC and one or two polymers are synthesized by in situ surface graft copohmerization in a multitude of solvent systems, including water. The nano-scale size supramolecular materials are engineered to have a unique combination of lower polarity and high hydrophobicity and function as copohmers for demanding pohmeric systems such as, but not limited to, polyolefins and polyesters. Nanocomposite materials of enhanced functionality and mechanical properties are produced by compounding the NCC-based supramolecular materials with polymer matrices. The supramolecular materials are used in composite development for packaging materials, structural composites for automotive and construction, as sandwiched foam composites or, combined with biocompatible polymers, in medical applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to use of polydopamine (PD) coated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as template for further conjugation of functional oligomers (amines, carboxylic acids etc.) and the immobilization of various types of CNC hybrid nanomaterial nanoparticles to improve their stability in aqueous solution, e.g. the preparation of silver nanoparticle on CNC. Surface functionalization of CNC with polydopamine can be performed by mixing dopamine and CNCs for certain time at designed temperature. The resultant PD-CNCs can be used to stabilize metallic and inorganic nanoparticles, which could be generated in-situ, and further immobilized on the surface of PD coated CNCs. Benefiting from the improved stability, the resultant nanoparticles immobilized PD-CNC system also generally possess higher catalytic activity than the nanoparticles alone.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a novel process for functionalizing NCC, a method for producing amine-cured epoxy-based nanocomposites through the use of said functionalized NCC, and nanocomposites thereof. The process for functionalizating NCC comprises providing a mixture of NCC and one or more monomers. The mixture is suitable for free radical polymerization and the monomer is cross-linkable with epoxy and is aqueous soluble. The polymerization takes place in the presence of a free radical initiator and oxygen is purged from the mixture and the initiator solution. The epoxy-based nanocomposite is produced by mixing the funtionalized NCC with an amine-curable epoxy resin and a hardener, in a solvent, and allowing the mixture to cure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to polyurethane composites comprising nanocrystalline cellulose and method for improving properties of polyurethanes thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fullerene-derived cellulose nanocrystals, process for preparing same and methods of using said nanocrystals.