Efficacy of Biodegradable Chitosan Polymer for Simultaneous Improvement in Ash and Strength Properties of Paper

ABSTRACT

Strength properties of paper are of great significance in terms of its mechanical performance and are attributed to cellulosic fibers. When filler is used in papermaking, the cost and strength properties get reduced but optical properties are improved. So far, modification of fillers using chitosan (CH) is not explored in such a way that all aspects of wet-end of papermaking get covered. The novelty lies in showing the effect of CH as filler modifier at various doses on different fillers and the wet-end application of modified fillers at different doses along with other additives used in papermaking. The impact of addition of modified fillers on end paper properties is also analyzed. Here, CH was applied to modify fillers characteristics so that the ash in paper can be increased without compromising the strength properties. Three different doses (0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00%) of CH were added to the fillers. The addition of modified fillers to bleached mixed hardwood (BMHW) pulp increased the filler retention in paper while the reduction in strength properties was found to be less and in some properties even an increase was observed. The particle size distributions of fillers were found to be affected after modification of fillers.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

摘要

纸的强度性能在其机械性能方面具有重要意义，并归因于纤维素纤维. 当填料用于造纸时，成本和强度性能得到降低，但光学性能得到改善. 到目前为止，壳聚糖（CH）对填料的改性还没有以覆盖造纸湿端各个方面的方式进行探索. 新颖之处在于展示了CH作为填料改性剂在不同剂量下对不同填料的影响，以及不同剂量改性填料与造纸中使用的其他添加剂在湿端的应用. 分析了改性填料的加入对端纸性能的影响. 在这里，CH被用于改变填料的特性，以便在不影响强度性能的情况下增加纸中的灰分. 向填料中加入三种不同剂量（0.25%、0.50%和1.00%）的CH. 在漂白混合硬木（BMHW）纸浆中添加改性填料增加了填料在纸中的保留率，同时发现强度性能的降低较少，在某些性能中甚至观察到了增加. 填料改性后，填料的粒径分布受到影响.

KEYWORDS:

• Mixed hardwood pulp
• chitosan
• paper fillers
• paper strength properties
• charge demand
• particle size distribution

关键词:

• 混合硬木纸浆
• 壳聚糖
• 纸填料
• 纸张强度特性
• 电荷需求
• 粒度分布

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).