Abstract: A method of large-scale continuous roll-to-roll fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) coatings with controlled anisotropy, and CNC-coated flexible substrates prepared thereby. An order parameter of 0.78 is observed in CNC-poly(vinyl alcohol) (CNC-PVA) coating systems at 70% CNC loadings.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel cellulose nanomaterial (CN) based waterborne polyurethane coating, and to methods of making and using the novel cellulose nanomaterial (CN) based waterborne polyurethane coating.

Abstract: A method of large-scale continuous roll-to-roll fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) coatings with controlled anisotropy, and CNC-coated flexible substrates prepared thereby. An order parameter of 0.78 is observed in CNC-poly(vinyl alcohol) (CNC-PVA) coating systems at 70% CNC loadings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides to a novel flame retardant resin, wherein the resin is a reaction product of an epoxy material, a curing agent, and a partially esterified tannic acid of formula I, wherein TA represents a tannic acid moiety, R1 represents an optionally substituted C1-C6 straight or branched alkyl, an optionally substituted C3-C6 cyclic ring, an optionally substituted phenyl group, or any combination thereof, and n is 2-10.

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: A method of large-scale continuous roll-to-roll fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) coatings with controlled anisotropy, and CNC-coated flexible substrates prepared thereby. An order parameter of 0.78 is observed in CNC-poly(vinyl alcohol) (CNC-PVA) coating systems at 70% CNC loadings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a transparent alumina-based plate, and a hot-pressing method to make the transparent alumina-based plate from platelet alumina. Alumina powder with a platelet morphology was hot-pressed to transparency with pre-load pressures of about 0-8 MPa, maximum temperatures of about 1750-1825° C., maximum pressures of about 2.5-80 MPa, and isothermal hold times of 1-7 hours. A novel alumina-based plate has been prepared, wherein the plate has a thickness of 2-5 mm, an in-line transmission of at least 60-75% for a light with a wavelength range of 645-2500 nm, an in-line transmission variance of <15% over the wavelength range of 645-2500 nm, and a relative density of 99.00-99.95%.

Abstract: The present application relates to a novel method of large scale continuous roll-to-roll fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) coatings with controlled anisotropy, and the cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) coated flexible substrate prepared with the novel method. An unexpectedly high order parameter of 0.78 is observed when in CNC-PVA composite at 70% CNC loading.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides to a novel flame retardant resin, wherein the resin is a reaction product of an epoxy material, a curing agent, and a partially esterified tannic acid of formula I, wherein TA represents a tannic acid moiety, R1 represents an optionally substituted C1-C6 straight or branched alkyl, an optionally substituted C3-C6 cyclic ring, an optionally substituted phenyl group, or any combination thereof, and n is 2-10.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel method for dispersion of nanocellulose in melt-processed polymers without the introduction of solvent during melt processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel cellulose nanomaterial (CN) based waterborne polyurethane coating, and to methods of making and using the novel cellulose nanomaterial (CN) based waterborne polyurethane coating.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to epoxy/tannin reaction product compositions, and methods of making and using the epoxy tannin reaction product compositions. The epoxy/tannin reaction product compositions are hardened thermosetting polymeric materials, are substantially homogeneous and substantially free of visible clumps, and have a glass transition temperature of at least 140° C.

Abstract: The present application relates to a novel method of large scale continuous roll-to-roll fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) coatings with controlled anisotropy, and the cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) coated flexible substrate prepared with the novel method. An unexpectedly high order parameter of 0.78 is observed when in CNC-PVA composite at 70% CNC loading.

Abstract: The surface hydrophobization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by carboxylic acids, biodiesel, or plant oils was conducted via there herein disclosed green process using an one-pot synthetic method. In the process, an aqueous lactic acid syrup served as a solvent to provide a stable and well-dispersed water suspension of CNCs and participated in esterification reactions to produce an intermediate product of polylactic acid (PLA) oligomer grafted CNCs (CNC-g-PLA). This solvent and intermediate product system allows for an in situ solvent exchange from water to lactic acid without prior drying of the CNCs and a subsequent efficient esterification reaction of CNCs with carboxylic acids or esters having a long hydrocarbon chain (FAs). Another advantage of the disclosed process is the ability to reuse the reagents in the subsequent reaction in order to reduce the production cost.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel method for dispersion of nanocellulose in melt-processed polymers without the introduction of solvent during melt processing.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to epoxy/tannin reaction product compositions, and methods of making and using the epoxy tannin reaction product compositions. The epoxy/tannin reaction product compositions are hardened thermosetting polymeric materials, are substantially homogeneous and substantially free of visible clumps, and have a glass transition temperature of at least 140° C.

Abstract: The surface hydrophobization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) by carboxylic acids, biodiesel, or plant oils was conducted via there herein disclosed green process using an one-pot synthetic method. In the process, an aqueous lactic acid syrup served as a solvent to provide a stable and well-dispersed water suspension of CNCs and participated in esterification reactions to produce an intermediate product of polylactic acid (PLA) oligomer grafted CNCs (CNC-g-PLA). This solvent and intermediate product system allows for an in situ solvent exchange from water to lactic acid without prior drying of the CNCs and a subsequent efficient esterification reaction of CNCs with carboxylic acids or esters having a long hydrocarbon chain (FAs). Another advantage of the disclosed process is the ability to reuse the reagents in the subsequent reaction in order to reduce the production cost.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are flame retardant materials, and in particular materials and processes for phosphorylating materials for flame retardant applications.

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.