Abstract
A novel procedure based on the addition of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) onto the pulp containing lignocellulosic micro/nanofibers (LCMNF) is presented. This procedure allows increasing paper strength avoiding an excessive loss in drainability. LCMNF were obtained from partially delignified kraft pine sawdust using a high-pressure homogenizer. Cationic complexes (CatPECs) were prepared by adding the anionic polyelectrolyte solution (polyacrylic acid) on the cationic polyelectrolyte solution (poly(allylamine hydrochloride)). According to turbidity and surface morphology changes, an interaction between CatPECs and LCMNF could be established. Different CatPEC dosages (from 0.3 to 1.0% on pulp) were added on a recycled unbleached softwood kraft pulp containing 3% of LCMNF. For a PEC dosage of 0.75% on pulp, an optimum balances between negatively and positively charged materials [near to zero value of the logarithm of the colloidal titration ratio (logCTR)] was found. Britt Dynamic Drainage Jar test showed a high retention of fines and LCMNF for all PEC dosages. A maximum in retention value was obtained for the addition of 0.75% of PECs on pulp, dosage that was suggested as optimum by the logCTR. In addition, the best drainability value (18°SR) was obtained for this PEC addition level. Papermaking properties were clearly improved for all dosage of PECs. Particularly for a dosage of 0.75% of PECs on pulp, tensile strength was noticeably increased (+48%) and both compressive resistance Concora Medium Test (CMT) and Short-span Compressive Test (SCT) were markedly increased (+64% and +39%, respectively). These results suggest that PECs are a possible alternative to assist the application of LCMNF in papermaking.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahola S, Myllytie P, Österberg M et al (2008) Effect of polymer adsorption on. Cellulose 3:1315–1328. https://doi.org/10.15376/biores.3.4.1315-1328
Ankerfors C (2008) Polyelectrolyte complexes: their preparation, adsorption behaviour, and effect on paper properties. KTH
Ankerfors C, Wagberg L (2014) Application aspects. In: Müller M (ed) Polyelectrolyte complexes in the dispersed and solid state II. Springer, Dresden
Boufi S, González I, Delgado-aguilar M et al (2016) Nanofibrillated cellulose as an additive in papermaking process: a review. Carbohydr Polym 154:151–166
Brodin FW, Gregersen ØW, Syverud K (2014) Cellulose nanofibrils: challenges and possibilities as a paper additive or coating material: a review. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 29:156–166. https://doi.org/10.3183/NPPRJ-2014-29-01-p156-166
Carrasco F, Mutje P, Pelach MA (1998) Control of retention in paper-making by colloid titration and zeta potential techniques. Wood Sci Technol 32:145–155
Delgado-Aguilar M, González I, Pèlach MA et al (2015a) Improvement of deinked old newspaper/old magazine pulp suspensions by means of nanofibrillated cellulose addition. Cellulose 22:789–802. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-014-0473-2
Delgado-Aguilar M, Tarrés Q, Pèlach MA et al (2015b) Are cellulose nanofibers a solution for a more circular economy of paper products? Environ Sci Technol 49:12206–12213. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b02676
Delgado-Aguilar M, González I, Tarrés Q et al (2016) The key role of lignin in the production of low-cost lignocellulosic nanofibers for papermaking applications. Ind Crop Prod 86:295–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.04.010
Eriksson M, Torgnysdotter A, Wågberg L (2006) Surface modification of wood fibers using the polyelectrolyte multilayer technique: effects on fiber joint and paper strength properties. Ind Eng Chem Res 45:5279–5286. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie060226w
Gärdlund L, Forsström J, Andreasson B, Wågberg L (2005) Influence of polyelectrolyte complexes on the strength properties of papers from unbleached kraft pulps with different yields. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 20:36–42
González I, Boufi S, Pèlach MA et al (2012) Nanofibrillated cellulose as paper additive in eucalyptus pulps. BioResources 7:5167–5180
Halabisky DD (1977) Wet-end control for the effective use of cationic starch. Tappi 60:125
Jonoobi M, Mathew AP, Oksman K (2012) Producing low-cost cellulose nanofiber from sludge as new source of raw materials. Ind Crops Prod 40:232–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2012.03.018
Junka K, Filpponen I, Lindström T, Laine J (2013) Titrimetric methods for the determination of surface and total charge of functionalized nanofibrillated/microfibrillated cellulose (NFC/MFC). Cellulose 20:2887–2895
Katz S, Beatson RP, Scallan AM (1984) The determination of strong and weak acidic groups in sulphite pulps. Sven Papperstidning 87:48–53
Korhonen MH (2015) Flocculation/deflocculation of cellulosic materials and mineral particles by polyelectrolyte complexes and nanocelluloses. Aalto University, Helsinki
Korhonen MH, Laine J (2014) Flocculation and retention of fillers with nanoceluloses. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 29:119–128
Korhonen MHJ, Holappa S, Stenius P, Laine J (2013) Flocculation of fillers with polyelectrolyte complexes. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 28:239–247. https://doi.org/10.3183/NPPRJ-2013-28-02-p239-247
Lavoine N, Desloges I, Dufresne A, Bras J (2012) Microfibrillated cellulose—its barrier properties and applications in cellulosic materials: a review. Carbohydr Polym 90:735–764. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.05.026
Lloyd JA, Horne CW (1993) The determination of fibre charge and acidic groups of radiata pine pulps. Nord Pulp Pap Res J 8:48–57
Lofton MC, Moore SM, Hubbe MA, Lee SY (2005) Deposition of polyelectrolyte complexes as a mechanism of developing paper dry strength. Tappi J 4(9):3–7
Merayo N, Balea A, de la Fuente E et al (2017a) Synergies between cellulose nanofibers and retention additives to improve recycled paper properties and the drainage process. Cellulose 24:2987–3000. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-017-1302-1
Merayo N, Balea A, de la Fuente E, Blanco Á, Negro C (2017b) Interactions between cellulose nanofibers and retention systems in flocculation of recycled fibers. Cellulose 24(2):677–692
Mocchiutti P, Galván MV, Peresin MS et al (2015) Complexes of xylan and synthetic polyelectrolytes. Characterization and adsorption onto high quality unbleached fibres. Carbohydr Polym 116:131–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.04.081
Mocchiutti P, Schnell CN, Rossi GD et al (2016) Cationic and anionic polyelectrolyte complexes of xylan and chitosan. Interaction with lignocellulosic surfaces. Carbohydr Polym 150:89–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2016.04.111
Rojo E, Peresin MS, Sampson WW et al (2015) Comprehensive elucidation of the effect of residual lignin on the physical, barrier, mechanical and surface properties of nanocellulose films. Green Chem 17:1853–1866. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4GC02398F
Schnell CN, Galván MV, Peresin MS et al (2017) Films from xylan/chitosan complexes: preparation and characterization. Cellulose 24:4393–4403. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-017-1411-x
Taipale T, Österberg M, Nykänen A et al (2010) Effect of microfibrillated cellulose and fines on the drainage of kraft pulp suspension and paper strength. Cellulose 17:1005–1020. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-010-9431-9
Tarrés Q, Ehman NV, Evangelina M et al (2017) Lignocellulosic nanofibers from triticale straw: the influence of hemicelluloses and lignin in their production and properties. Carbohydr Polym 163:20–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.01.017
Vallejos ME, Felissia F, Area MC et al (2016) Nanofibrillated cellulose (CNF) from eucalyptus sawdust as a dry strength agent of unrefined eucalyptus handsheets. Carbohydr Polym 139:99–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.12.004
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schnell, C.N., Tarrés, Q., Galván, M.V. et al. Polyelectrolyte complexes for assisting the application of lignocellulosic micro/nanofibers in papermaking. Cellulose 25, 6083–6092 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1969-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-018-1969-y