Eco-Friendly Nanocellulose for Sustainable Solutions

Introduction

This advanced nanocellulosic composition technology offers groundbreaking potential for industries looking to innovate with sustainable and versatile materials. With applications across biotechnology, packaging, construction, and pharmaceuticals, the nanocellulose composition provides a lightweight, durable, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional materials. Companies seeking to enhance product performance while meeting sustainability goals will find this technology a valuable addition to their portfolio.

The Challenge: Balancing Strength and Sustainability

Industries are increasingly facing the challenge of finding materials that balance durability with sustainability. Traditional materials, such as plastics or non-renewable composites, may offer strength and versatility but often come with significant environmental costs. As regulatory and consumer demand for greener, more eco-friendly products grows, businesses are pressed to find innovative materials that provide strength without sacrificing their environmental responsibilities. Conventional materials also present limitations in terms of their adaptability across diverse applications, hindering progress in sectors where high-performance, sustainable materials are needed.

Nanocellulose: The Next Generation of Sustainable Materials

Nanocellulosic compositions solve these challenges by delivering a highly adaptable material that is strong, lightweight, and biodegradable. Made from renewable sources, nanocellulose can be engineered to enhance the structural integrity of products while significantly reducing their environmental impact. Its high surface area, strength, and flexibility make it ideal for reinforcing packaging materials, creating durable construction products, or even formulating pharmaceutical carriers. The technology supports industries in advancing toward more sustainable production methods while meeting performance standards that rival traditional materials.

Key Benefits Across Multiple Sectors

In packaging, this technology provides an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics, supporting brands in reducing waste while improving packaging strength. Construction firms can leverage nanocellulose to enhance the durability of building materials while cutting down on the use of harmful or unsustainable components. For biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, nanocellulosic compositions offer potential in creating more efficient drug delivery systems, biosensors, and medical products with reduced environmental footprints. Across all sectors, nanocellulose presents a future-focused solution that aligns with global sustainability goals.

Investing in Sustainable Material Innovation

Licensing this eco-friendly nanocellulose technology positions your organization at the forefront of material science innovation. As industries shift towards sustainable practices, nanocellulose offers an opportunity to meet these demands while delivering high-performance, adaptable solutions. Whether for packaging, construction, biotechnology, or beyond, this technology empowers businesses to innovate responsibly, combining environmental stewardship with advanced material performance. It’s a strategic step towards creating products that are not only stronger and more versatile but also aligned with the growing demand for sustainability in a resource-conscious world.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a nanocellulosic composition comprising cellulose nanoparticles and/or nanoparticles. The nanocellulosic compositions are useful in the manufacturing of biodegradable plastics. The invention also includes a method of manufacturing biodegradable plastics using such nanocellulosic compositions.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of preparing a biodegradable plastic, the method comprising:

dissolving a one or more polymers into a solvent to form a solution;
adding nanocellulose to the solution to form a stable suspension; and
processing the stable suspension to form the biodegradable plastic comprising nanocellulose at a weight percentage in the range of about 10 wt % to about 40 wt %; wherein the solvent, the polymer, and the cellulose are present in a ratio of 20:1:1 in the suspension prior to the processing;
wherein the nanocellulose is prepared by subjecting nanocellulose to an acidic medium capable of hydrolyzing the cellulose to form nanocellulose;
recovering the nanocellulose from the acidic medium;
resuspending the recovered nanocellulose in water; and
lyophilizing the recovered cellulose to form a dry powdered nanocellulose.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the processing step comprises extruding, solvent casting, injection molding, compression molding, blow molding, transfer molding, rotational molding, or thermoforming the first composition.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the nanocellulose comprises nanofibrils of cellulose.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the nanofibrils have an aspect ratio in the range of 1:20 to 1:50.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the steps of recovering the nanocellulose from the acidic medium and resuspending the recovered nanocellulose in water are performed at a temperature in the range of about 1° C. to about 15° C.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of

recovering the nanocellulose from the acidic medium comprises

quenching the acidic medium with water;
washing the nanocellulose with water to remove the acidic medium;
at least one cycle of centrifuging the nanocellulose, and
recovering a nanocellulose pellet.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of recovering the nanocellulose comprises three cycles of centrifuging.

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Title

Nanocellulosic compositions

Inventor(s)

Michael L. CURRY, Donald White

Assignee(s)

Tuskegee University

Patent #

11084907

Patent Date

August 10, 2021

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