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Thin cellulose films as a model system for paper fibre bonds

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Abstract

Thin cellulose films on silicon substrates are used as a model system for paper fiber bonds. The films are formed by spincoating trimethylsilylcellulose on the substrates. The films are regenerated using HCl gas. After swelling in water, two samples can be bonded like a sandwich. It is shown that this model system can be used to measure the bond strength between the two films under controlled conditions. For a detailed characterization the films are studied in terms of roughness with atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hardness of the films is investigated by AFM-based nanoindentation. The chemistry and the thickness of the films is studied by infrared spectroscopy. It is shown that this model system enables the evaluation of different bonding mechanisms discussed in pulp and paper research. Our results clearly indicate that Coulomb interaction is an important bonding mechanism.

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Acknowledgments

The financial support of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth and the National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Solid State Physics, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16/2, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Sebastian Rohm & Robert Schennach

  2. Institute of Paper, Pulp and Fibre Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 23 A, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Ulrich Hirn

  3. Institute of Physics, University of Leoben, Franz Josef-Strasse 18, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    Christian Ganser & Christian Teichert

  4. CD-Laboratory for Surface Chemical and Physical Fundamentals of Paper Strength, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 16/2, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Sebastian Rohm, Ulrich Hirn, Christian Ganser, Christian Teichert & Robert Schennach

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  1. Sebastian Rohm
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  2. Ulrich Hirn
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  3. Christian Ganser
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  4. Christian Teichert
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  5. Robert Schennach
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Correspondence to Robert Schennach.

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Rohm, S., Hirn, U., Ganser, C. et al. Thin cellulose films as a model system for paper fibre bonds. Cellulose 21, 237–249 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-013-0098-x

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