Method for Producing Lignocellulose Nanofibrils From Phosphorylated Fibers

Abstract

A method for producing lignocellulose nanofibrils from phosphorylated fibers. The method includes hydrolyzing an amount of phosphorylated fibers in which the phosphorylated fibers include a phosphorylated lignocellulose of Formula I: in which i) lignocellulose is selected from the group consisting of: lignin; hemicelluloses; and cellulose; and ii) n is greater than 0 but less than 8000 mmoles/kg. The phosphorylated fibers are dispersed in an aqueous medium at a first temperature to produce an aqueous dispersion having a consistency. The phosphorylated fibers are dispersed for a predetermined time so as to enhance/increase water accessibility to the fiber wall, thereby causing fiber swelling.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.