Improving Bagasse Pulp Paper Sheet Properties with Microfibrillated Cellulose Isolated from Xylanase-Treated Bagasse

Authors

  • Enas A. Hassan
  • Mohammad L. Hassan
  • Kristiina Oksman

Keywords:

Bagasse, microfibrillated cellulose, strength properties, paper sheets

Abstract

To improve the properties of paper sheets, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) was isolated from bleached bagasse pulp pretreated with xylanase enzymes and returned to the pulp in varying amounts. The standard hand sheet paper-making method was used. The effect of adding different amounts of MFC on tensile strength (wet and dry), tear resistance, burst strength, opacity, and porosity of paper sheets was studied. Adding MFC to bagasse pulp improved wet and dry tensile strength, but tear resistance and burst strength decreased with increasing amounts of MFC. Also, adding MFC to bagasse pulp did not significantly affect opacity, slightly decreased porosity, and tightened the texture of the paper sheets as observed from scanning electron microscopy images. The strength properties of paper sheets made from bagasse and MFC were compared with those of paper sheets made from bagasse and softwood fibers. Paper sheets containing MFC had higher tensile strength (wet and dry) than those containing softwood fibers, but the later had higher tear resistance and burst strength.

References

ASTM (1971) Test method D726-58. Standard test method for resistance of nonporous paper to passage of air. American Society of Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA.nBastawde KB (1992) Cellulolytic enzymes of a thermotolerant Aspergillus terreus strain and their action on cellulosic substrates. World J Microb Biot 8(1):45-49.nBrandon CE (1981) Properties of paper. Pages 1715-1972 in JP Casey, ed. Pulp and paper, chemistry and chemical technology. Volume 3. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.nGällstedt M, Hedenqvist MS (2006) Packaging-related mechanical and barrier properties of pulpfiber-chitosan sheets. Carbohydr Polym 63(1):46-53.nHassan ML, Mathew AP, Hassan EA, El-Wakil NA, Oksman K (2010a) Nanofibers from bagasse and rice straw: Process optimization and properties. Wood Sci Technol. doi:10.1007/s00226-010-0373-z.nHassan ML, Mathew AP, Hassan EA, Oksman K (2010b) Effect of pretreatment of bagasse pulp on properties of isolated nanofibers and nanopaper sheets. Wood Fiber Sci 42(3):1-15.nHassan ML, Hassan EA, Oksman K (2010c) Effect of pretreatment of bagasse pulp on properties of chitosan nanocomposites. Journal of Material Science DOI:10.1007/s10853-010-4992-4.nHenriksson M, Berglund LA, Isaksson P, Lindström T, Nishino T (2008) Cellulose nanopaper structures of high toughness. Biomacromolecules 9(6):1579-1585.nHenriksson M, Henriksson G, Berglund LA, Lindström T (2007) An environmentally friendly method for enzyme assisted preparation of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) nanofibers. Eur Polym J 43(8):3434-3441.nHosokawa J, Nishiyama M, Yoshihara K, Kubo T, Terabe A (1991) Reaction between chitosan and cellulose on biodegradable composite film formation. Ind Eng Chem Res 30(4):788-792.nMedeiros RG, Silva FG, Salles BC, Estelles RS, Filho E (2002) The performance of fungal xylan-degrading enzyme preparations in elemental chlorine-free bleaching for Eucalyptus pulp. J Ind Microbiol Biot 28(4):204-206.nNordqvist D, Idermark J, Hedenqvist MS (2007) Enhancement of the wet properties of transparent chitosanacetic-acid-salt films using microfibrillated cellulose. Biomacromolecules 8(7):2389-2403.nRials TG, Wolcott MP (1997) Physical and mechanical properties of agro-based fibers. Pages 63-79 in RM Rowell, RA Young, JK Rowell, eds. Paper and composites from agrobased resources. CRC Lewis Publishers, New York, NY.nSCAN (1976) Forming sheets for testing physical properties of pulp. Scandinavian Pulp, Paper, and Board Testing Committee, Stockholm, Sweden.nSiró I, Plackett D (2010) Microfibrillated cellulose and new nanocomposite materials: A review. Cellulose 17 (3):459-494.nTaniguchi T, Okamura K (1998) New films produced from microfibrillated natural fibers. Polym Int 47(3):291-294.nTAPPI (2002a) Test method T 403 om-02. Bursting strength of paper. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, GA.nTAPPI (2002b) Test method T519 om-02. Diffuse Opacity of Paper. Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, GA.nTAPPI (2003) Test method T456 om-03. Tensile breaking strength of water-saturated paper and paperboard (‘wet tensile strength’). Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, GA.nTAPPI (2004) Test method T414 om-04. Internal tearing resistance of paper (Elmendorf-type method). Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, GA.nTAPPI (2006) Test method T494 om-06. Tensile properties of paper and paperboard (using constant rate of elongation apparatus). Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Atlanta, GA.n

Downloads

Published

2011-01-21

Issue

Section

Research Contributions