Abstract: Tissue paper of the disclosure exhibits advantageous softness and bulk at a basis weight less than that of basis weights found in currently available commercial tissue products, while delivering adequate strength for machine runability and consumer usage. This tissue is a lightweight paper that comprises a fiber core with up to 60% mechanically fibrillated fibers and a retention or drainage aid such as a cationic polyacrylamide polymer that facilitates drainage, softness, and bulk. This approach can reduce the fiber content of tissue products significantly while delivering the desired strength and other critical properties.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing carbon powders and activated carbon powders from cellulose-containing liquids. In some embodiments, the methods include exposing a cellulose-containing liquid to a hydrothermal carbonization process to convert the carbonaceous material present therein into a carbon powder. Also provided are methods for activating carbon powders, methods for producing carbon powder-containing polymer matrices, and carbon powders, activated carbon powders, and polymer matrices that that include the disclosed carbon powders and/or activated carbon powders that are produced by the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: Tissue paper of the disclosure exhibits advantageous softness and bulk at a basis weight less than that of basis weights found in currently available commercial tissue products, while delivering adequate strength for machine runability and consumer usage. This tissue is a lightweight paper that comprises a fiber core with up to 60% mechanically fibrillated fibers and a retention or drainage aid such as a cationic polyacrylamide polymer that facilitates drainage, softness, and bulk. This approach can reduce the fiber content of tissue products significantly while delivering the desired strength and other critical properties.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing carbon powders and activated carbon powders from cellulose-containing liquids. In some embodiments, the methods include exposing a cellulose-containing liquid to a hydrothermal carbonization process to convert the carbonaceous material present therein into a carbon powder. Also provided are methods for activating carbon powders, methods for producing carbon powder-containing polymer matrices, and carbon powders, activated carbon powders, and polymer matrices that that include the disclosed carbon powders and/or activated carbon powders that are produced by the presently disclosed methods.

Abstract: A wax composition can be incorporated into a biomass mixture, such as a woody biomass mixture, for formation of pellets, such as wood fuel pellets. The addition of wax compositions with suitable amounts of n-paraffins relative to the amount of oil-in-wax can result in biomass pellets with improved properties, such as improved durability and/or reduced tendency to uptake moisture during storage. Addition of a suitable wax composition can also allow for formation of biomass pellets with improved properties while also reducing or minimizing the power requirements during pellet formation.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides fatty acid derivatives of lignin with improved properties such as workability and other physical properties. These derivatives have the ability to form polymer blends with improved properties such as carbon fiber production and compatibilizers.

Abstract: Compositions of matter are provided that include chitosan and a modified carbohydrate. The modified carbohydrate includes a carbohydrate component and a cross linking agent. The modified carbohydrate has increased carboxyl content as compared to an unmodified counterpart carbohydrate. A carboxyl group of the modified carbohydrate is covalently bonded with an amino group of chitosan. The compositions of matter provided herein may include cross linked starch citrate-chitosan and cross linked hemicellulose citrate-chitosan, including foams thereof. These compositions yield excellent absorbency and metal chelation properties. Methods of making cross linked modified carbohydrate-chitosan compounds are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous fiber, the method including blending a natural polymer having a thermal stability with a synthetic polymer having a thermal stability, wherein the thermal stability of the natural polymer is different from the thermal stability of the synthetic polymer, and wherein the natural polymer and synthetic polymer from immiscible phases; extruding the blended polymers while heating at a predetermined heating rate to the fiber spinning temperature; spinning the fibers while maintaining the temperature; and heating the fibers at a heating rate that maintains the natural polymer in a fiber form and that removes the synthetic polymer, whereby a porous fiber is formed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a porous fiber, the method including blending a natural polymer having a thermal stability with a synthetic polymer having a thermal stability, wherein the thermal stability of the natural polymer is different from the thermal stability of the synthetic polymer, and wherein the natural polymer and synthetic polymer from immiscible phases; extruding the blended polymers while heating at a predetermined heating rate to the fiber spinning temperature; spinning the fibers while maintaining the temperature; and heating the fibers at a heating rate that maintains the natural polymer in a fiber form and that removes the synthetic polymer, whereby a porous fiber is formed.