Cellulose-containing compositions and methods of making same
Inventors
Capanema, Ewellyn A. • BALAKSHIN, Mikhail Y. • FITZGIBBON, Patrick David • KOSA, Matyas • MCLARTY, Todd Michael • Sanderson, Charles Sebastian
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11649296-B2
Publication Date
2023-05-16
Expiration Date
Abstract
Cellulose-containing compositions and method of making same are disclosed. The compositions comprise a cellulose product comprising a type-I cellulose, a type-II cellulose, amorphous cellulose, or a combination thereof. Further, methods are disclosed for making these compositions and for further hydrolyzing these compositions. Additionally, uses for the cellulose-containing compositions are disclosed.
Core Innovation
A cellulose-containing composition is provided on a dry basis that includes a cellulose product in an amount of from 45% by weight to 100% by weight, where the cellulose product comprises type I cellulose and type II cellulose. The cellulose product comprises cellulose having a weight-average molecular weight of from 3,000 g/mol to 25,000 g/mol as determined on a sample prepared for gel-permeation chromatography analysis according to a first condition.
The disclosed material further includes an alcohol-soluble fraction, optionally including lignin, and a water-soluble fraction including water-soluble cello-oligosaccharides. The cellulose product can be further characterized by particle size distribution, including D10 and D50 ranges, and by composition features such as lignin content in the alcohol-soluble fraction.
The document also describes cellulose products and lignin-containing fractions obtained from biomass hydrolysis residues, together with lignin/cellulose separation and related characterization such as GPC/SEC under first and second conditions, XRD, and solid-state 13C CP-MAS NMR. The disclosed subject matter further relates to converting type-I cellulose to type-II cellulose by contacting cellulose with aqueous subcritical, near-critical, or supercritical fluids, followed by hydrolysis.
Claims Coverage
The relevant claim coverage centers on one independent claim, with dependent refinements adding particle-size distribution metrics, an alcohol-soluble fraction containing lignin, and specified separation methods for lignin-containing fractions.
Dry-basis composition with type I and type II cellulose
A composition comprising a cellulose product in an amount of from 45% by weight to 100% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition on a dry basis, wherein the cellulose product comprises type I cellulose and type II cellulose.
Molecular-weight constrained cellulose product measured by GPC under a first condition
The composition wherein the cellulose product comprises cellulose having a weight-average molecular weight of from 3,000 g/mol to 25,000 g/mol as determined on a sample of the cellulose product that has been prepared for gel-permeation chromatography analysis according to a first condition.
Cellulose product particle size distribution with D10 constraint
The composition wherein the cellulose product has a particle size distribution with D10 between 0.4 μm and 35 μm.
Cellulose product particle size distribution with D50 constraint
The composition wherein the cellulose product has a particle distribution with D50 between 5 μm and 200 μm.
Alcohol-soluble fraction containing lignin
The composition further includes an alcohol-soluble fraction, wherein the alcohol-soluble fraction contains lignin at 0% to 30% by weight, dry basis, based on total weight of the composition.
Lignin separation using selected separation methods
The separating step is performed by gravity separation, centrifugal separation, centripetal separation, filtration, or combinations of these methods.
The claim coverage centers on a dry-basis composition with a cellulose product comprising type I cellulose and type II cellulose, constrained to a specific weight-average molecular weight range measured by gel-permeation chromatography under a first condition, and further narrowed by particle-size distribution metrics, inclusion of an alcohol-soluble fraction optionally containing lignin, and specified separation methods for lignin.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
The composition is documented for adhesive compositions using cellulose product and lignin residues from biomass hydrolysis.
The cellulose product is documented as a carrier/spheronizing agent and as a topical drug delivery material/excipient in pharmaceutical-related contexts, including embodiments that optionally comprise pharmaceutically active ingredients.
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