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: The present disclosure relates to surface modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) prepared by chemical modification of NCC as well as its use thereof, including as carrier of particular chemical compounds. The surface of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was modified with chitosan oligosaccharide (CSOS) by selectively oxidizing the primary alcohol moieties of NCC followed by coupling of the amino groups of CSOS to the oxidized NCC to provide the desired material (NCC-CSOS).

Abstract: A process for preparing polyurethane composites includes (i) providing a dispersion of nanocrystalline cellulose in (a) one or more polyols, (b) one or more isocyanates, or (c) one or more polyols and one or more isocyanate, mixed together; wherein the amount of water in the nanocrystalline cellulose is less than about 1% w/w; (ii) mixing the dispersion of (i)(a) with an isocyanate or (i)(b) with a polyol and a catalyst to allow polymerization; or mixing the dispersion of (i)(c) and a catalyst to allow polymerization; and (iii) isolating the polyurethane composite. A method for improving properties of polyurethanes includes dispersing nanocrystalline cellulose into one or both parts of a two part polyol/isocyanate precursors prior to allowing polymerization of the precursors, wherein the amount of water in the nanocrystalline cellulose is less than about 1% w/w; mixing the dispersion with a catalyst; and polymerizing the precursors to provide the polyurethane.

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: Composite hydrogels with a chiral organization with tunable responsive photonic properties are conceived. A polymerizable hydrophilic monomer such as acrylamide is reacted in the presence of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) to give a composite hydrogel with cellulose nanocrystals embedded in a chiral nematic organization. Through control of the reaction conditions, the hydrogel can exhibit photonic colour that can be varied throughout the visible and near-infrared regions. The colour shifts substantially and reversibly upon swelling and shrinking of the hydrogel through solvation in aqueous and nonaqueous media. The responsive properties can be tailored both through choice of monomer and/or through chemical modification of the NCC surface. Examples of possible applications of the materials are: tunable reflective filters, chemical sensors, stationary phases for electrophoresis of chiral or achiral substances, and as a template to generate new materials with chiral nematic structures.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to surface modified nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) prepared by chemical modification of NCC as well as its use thereof, including as carrier of particular chemical compounds. The surface of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was modified with chitosan oligosaccharide (CSOS) by selectively oxidizing the primary alcohol moieties of NCC followed by coupling of the amino groups of CSOS to the oxidized NCC to provide the desired material (NCC-CSOS).

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