Abstract:
A low energy method for the preparation of nanocellulose using selected organic or inorganic swelling agents. The use of these swelling agents allows opening up the intercrystalline structure and partially the intracrystalline structure of cellulosic materials thereby achieving a reduction 5 in the energy required to subsequently process the resultant swollen cellulose material into nanocellulose.
Abstract:
A low energy method for the preparation of nanocellulose using selected organic or inorganic swelling agents. The use of these swelling agents allows opening up the intercrystalline structure and partially the intracrystalline structure of cellulosic materials thereby achieving a reduction 5 in the energy required to subsequently process the resultant swollen cellulose material into nanocellulose.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a process for producing dry, water-dispersible, non-surface modified nanocellulose particles or a powderous composition r comprising said particles comprising the steps of: i. providing a first suspension of non-surface modified cellulose particles in an first aqueous liquid, which aqueous liquid is non-solubilizing for the non-surface modified nanocellulose particles, ii. exchanging substantially all of the first aqueous liquid of the first suspension for a second solvent, which is miscible with the first aqueous liquid and non-solubilizing for the non-surface modified nanocellulose particles, to form a second suspension of non-surface modified nanocellulose particles in said second solvent, iii. contacting a flow of the second suspension of non-surface modified nanocellulose particles with a flow of a fluid in a supercritical or critical state, which fluid in a supercritical or critical state is miscible with the second solvent and non-solvating for the non-surface modified nanocellulose particles under conditions suitable for the transfer of substantially all of the second solvent into the supercritical fluid, iv. removing the second solvent and the fluid in a supercritical or critical state, preferably by controlling pressure and/or temperature, to form the dry, water-dispersible nanocellulose particles, v. collecting the dry, water-dispersible, non-surface modified nanocellulose particles and/or forming the powderous composition comprising said particles.