Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for reducing or preventing colloids adhesion and/or fouling on a substrate in need thereof by forming a coating having a first layer that includes a polyphenol compound, and a second layer that includes a hydrophilic polymer having repeating units derived from one or more zwitterionic monomers, typically one or more betaine monomers, on the substrate. The present disclosure also relates to the coating made thereby and an article having the said coating.

Abstract: Methods for making metal particle-chitin composite materials are described. The methods can comprise contacting an ionic liquid with chitin, thereby forming a mixture; contacting the mixture with a non-solvent, thereby forming a chitin substrate in the non-solvent; collecting the chitin substrate from the non-solvent; deacetylating the collected chitin substrate, thereby forming a deacetylated chitin substrate; contacting the deacetylated chitin substrate with a metal salt, thereby forming an impregnated precursor composite material; and contacting the impregnated precursor composite material with a reducing agent, thereby reducing the metal salt to form a plurality of metal particles dispersed on the chitin substrate and forming the metal particle-chitin composite material.

Abstract: Methods for separating chitin from a chitinous biomass are described, the methods comprising contacting the chitinous biomass with an ionic liquid to form a mixture comprising chitin; contacting the mixture with an aqueous solution of a kosmotropic salt, thereby coagulating the chitin and forming an biphasic system comprising an ionic liquid-chitin phase and an aqueous kosmotropic salt phase; separating the ionic liquid-chitin phase from the aqueous kosmotropic salt phase; and collecting the chitin from the separated ionic liquid-chitin phase, thereby forming a recycled ionic liquid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of printing a three-dimensional (3D) article from a printing composition comprising a biopolymer are described. In addition to the biopolymer, the printing composition includes an ionic liquid solvent and optionally, a synthetic polymer. The method of printing the 3D article includes extruding the printing composition from a deposition nozzle moving relative to a substrate, depositing one or more layers comprising the printing composition in a predetermined pattern on the substrate, and treating the one or more layers to form the 3D article. The one or more layers deposited on the substrate can exhibit sufficient stiffness to maintain its shape once deposited, thus depositing the printing composition into a mold is not required. Treating the one or more layers can comprise coagulating the biopolymer and/or removing the ionic liquid solvent using an aqueous solvent.

Abstract: Methods for making metal particle-chitin composite materials are described. The methods can comprise contacting an ionic liquid with chitin, thereby forming a mixture; contacting the mixture with a non-solvent, thereby forming a chitin substrate in the non-solvent; collecting the chitin substrate from the non-solvent; deacetylating the collected chitin substrate, thereby forming a deacetylated chitin substrate; contacting the deacetylated chitin substrate with a metal salt, thereby forming an impregnated precursor composite material; and contacting the impregnated precursor composite material with a reducing agent, thereby reducing the metal salt to form a plurality of metal particles dispersed on the chitin substrate and forming the metal particle-chitin composite material.

Abstract: Methods for making graphene-biopolymer composite materials are described. The methods can comprise contacting an ionic liquid with a biopolymer and graphene, thereby forming a mixture; contacting the mixture with a non-solvent, thereby forming the graphene-biopolymer composite material in the non-solvent; and collecting the graphene-biopolymer composite material from the non-solvent.

Abstract: Methods for separating chitin from a chitinous biomass are described, the methods comprising contacting the chitinous biomass with an ionic liquid to form a mixture comprising chitin; contacting the mixture with an aqueous solution of a kosmotropic salt, thereby coagulating the chitin and forming an biphasic system comprising an ionic liquid-chitin phase and an aqueous kosmotropic salt phase; separating the ionic liquid-chitin phase from the aqueous kosmotropic salt phase; and collecting the chitin from the separated ionic liquid-chitin phase, thereby forming a recycled ionic liquid.