# US 12,006,374 B2 · Nanocellulose compositions and processes to produce same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,006,374 B2 - Document ID: US12006374B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/093,193 - Filed: 2023-01-04 - Published: 2023-07-13 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-23 - Assignees: GranBio Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC - Applicants: GranBio Intellectual Property Holdings, LLC - Inventors: Theodora Retsina; Kimberly Nelson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12006374B2 ## CPC - C08B 15/02: Oxycellulose; Hydrocellulose; {Cellulosehydrate, e.g. microcrystalline cellulose} - C08B 15/00: Preparation of other cellulose derivatives or modified cellulose {, e.g. complexes} - C08B 15/04: Carboxycellulose, e.g. prepared by oxidation with nitrogen dioxide - C08B 15/08: Fractionation of cellulose, e.g. separation of cellulose crystallites - C08J 7/12: Chemical modification - C08K 9/00: Use of pretreated ingredients - C08L 1/02: Cellulose; Modified cellulose - C09D 101/04: Oxycellulose; Hydrocellulose - C08B: POLYSACCHARIDES; DERIVATIVES THEREOF (polysaccharides containing less than six saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic linkages C07H; fermentation or enzyme-using processes C12P19/00; sugar industry C13; production of cellulose D21) - C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29) - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) ## Abstract A composition comprising nanocellulose is disclosed, wherein the nanocellulose contains very low or essentially no sulfur content. The nanocellulose may be in the form of cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibrils, or both. The nanocellulose is characterized by a crystallinity of at least 80%, an onset of thermal decomposition of 300° F. or higher, and a low light transmittance over the range 400-700 nm. Other variations provide a composition comprising lignin-coated hydrophobic nanocellulose, wherein the nanocellulose contains very low or essentially no sulfur content. Some variations provide a composition comprising nanocellulose, wherein the nanocellulose contains about 0.1 wt % equivalent sulfur content, or less, as SO4 groups chemically or physically bound to the nanocellulose. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose contains essentially no hydrogen atoms (apart from hydrogen structurally contained in nanocellulose itself) bound to the nanocellulose. Various compositions, materials, and products may incorporate the nanocellulose compositions disclosed herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A composition comprising nanocellulose, wherein said nanocellulose is characterized by a crystallinity of at least 85%, wherein said nanocellulose is in the form of cellulose nanocrystals and/or cellulose nanofibrils, and wherein said nanocellulose is characterized by an onset of thermal decomposition of 300° F. or higher. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose is characterized by a crystallinity of at least 90%. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains less than 0.5 wt % sulfur. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains less than 0.1 wt % sulfur. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains less than 0.5 wt % sodium. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains less than 0.1 wt % sodium. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains less than 0.5 wt % calcium. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains less than 0.1 wt % calcium. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains less than 0.1 wt %sulfur, less than 0.1 wt % sodium, and less than 0.1 wt % calcium. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose contains essentially no chlorine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose is characterized by a transmittance of less than about 20% at a wavelength of 400 nm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose is characterized by a transmittance of less than about 30% at a wavelength of 700 nm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose is characterized by a transmittance of less than about 20% at a wavelength of 400 nm as well as a transmittance of less than about 30% at a wavelength of 700 nm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose is in the form of said cellulose nanocrystals. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose is in the form of said cellulose nanofibrils. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein said nanocellulose is in the form of a blend of said cellulose nanocrystals and said cellulose nanofibrils. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A product comprising the nanocellulose composition of claim 1, wherein said product optionally further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a carbon fiber, graphene, a glass, a solvent, a fluid, a substrate, and combinations thereof.