Abstract: Method of dewatering nanocellulose and other water soluble of hydrophilic polymers. The method comprises providing an aqueous suspension formed by nanocellulose in water, said nanocellulose having free hydroxyl groups; mixing the aqueous suspension with an ionic liquid or eutectic solvent which is capable of hydrogen bonding to at least a part of the free hydroxyl groups to form a modified suspension; and evaporating off water from the modified suspension in order to dewater the nanocellulose. With the ionic liquid procedure, solvent exchange with repeated centrifugation steps can be avoided, and solvent consumption and costs reduced, and processing sped up. The nanocellulose stabilized in the water-free environment then allows for access to efficient and thorough water-free chemical modification procedures resulting in highly fibrillated products.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for functionalization, via topographical modification, of the surfaces of nanofibrillated (NFC) cellulose films into non-porous, water-resistant platforms, usable in diagnostic applications. The method includes a carboxylation of the NFC-film via TEMPO-mediated oxidation, and optionally an activation via EDS/NHS chemistry and, finally, the reactivity of the film can be tested using anti-human IgG. The invention also concerns the thus prepared functionalized NFC films, as well as the use thereof as platforms for diagnostical assays.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of modifying the surface of a cellulosic material, wherein a modifying compound is attached to the cellulosic material through a linker, which linker is a conjugate that has been activated by functionalization prior to adsorption to form an activated conjugate, and wherein the entire method is carried out in aqueous media, as well as an intermediate product suitable for attaching to a modifying compound, the intermediate product comprising said functionalized conjugate linker that has been adsorbed to a cellulosic material.