Improvement of Paper Strength by Addition of Nanofibrillated Pulp Fibers

摘要

Nanofibrillated pulp fibers can be prepared by several methods such as chemical method (Acid or Alkali hydrolysis), high shear refining, ultrasonication and TEMPO mediated oxidation methods. In the present study high shear refining has been followed for the preparation of nanofibers from the bleached bagasse pulp. Prepared nanofibers were used in the papermaking process as an additive in different quantity varying from 5 to 20 percent. Hand sheet prepared by above method has been analyzed for different strength properties like tensile strength, tear strength, burst strength and optical properties like brightness and opacity. Hand sheets of bleached bagasse pulp with small quantities of nanofibrillated pulp fibers showed improvement in tensile strength and burst strength of paper with little difference in tear strength. The effect of high shear refining on the isolated nanofibers was studied using chemical analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy.