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A structural fibrillation parameter from small angle X-ray scattering to quantify pulp refining

Cellulose volume 26, pages 4265–4277 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Pulp fibrillation results from refining and is of prime importance for papermaking. Yet a structural parameter reflecting the extent of fibrillation remains elusive. In this work, we demonstrate that in refined pulps, the interfibrillar distance at water saturated state (Ls), as derived from the interference factor from small angle X-ray scattering, structurally reflects fibrillation degree. Interestingly, the minimal L obtained at low water content is close to the crystal thickness derived from wide angle X-ray scattering. For a series of refined pulp samples, significant regressions are established between Ls and equilibrium moisture content, transmittance (T%), surface energy components (γLW, γAB), and the normalized crystallinity index (CrIn). These regressions establish Ls as a unique structural parameter for quantifying the fibrillation degree and derived properties of refined pulps without the need of a multi-parameter and time-consuming analyses.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by German Federation of Industrial Research Associations (AIF) (IGF 17939). Mr. Lutz Hamann from Papiertechnische Stiftung provided the original sulfite pulp and Ms. Mona Duhme and Mr. Sebastian Drabben from Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology UMSICHT provided the refined pulp fibers. Mrs. Elke Stibal performed the microscopic and nanofibril content analyses. Mr. Yoann Magre and Mr. Nicolas Renouard experimentally supported the measurements of secondary properties. Dr. Marcus Lindenfelder contributed to the statistical analyses. Their support is greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank Prof. Helga Lichtenegger from BOKU University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences for insightful discussions.

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Author notes

  1. Jia Mao & Hatem Abushammala

    Present address: Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Bienroder Weg 54E, 38108, Brunswick, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Forest Biomaterials, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Albert-Ludwig- University of Freiburg, Werthmannstr. 6, 79085, Freiburg, Germany

    Jia Mao, Hatem Abushammala & Marie-Pierre Laborie

  2. Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), Albert-Ludwig- University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, 79110, Freiburg, Germany

    Jia Mao, Hatem Abushammala, Günter Reiter & Marie-Pierre Laborie

  3. Institute of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Albert-Ludwig-University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 3, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Barbara Heck & Günter Reiter

  4. Freiburg Materials Research Center (FMF), Albert-Ludwig-University of Freiburg, Stefan-Meier Str. 21, 79104, Freiburg, Germany

    Günter Reiter & Marie-Pierre Laborie

Authors
  1. Jia Mao
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Correspondence to Jia Mao.

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Mao, J., Heck, B., Abushammala, H. et al. A structural fibrillation parameter from small angle X-ray scattering to quantify pulp refining. Cellulose 26, 4265–4277 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-019-02386-0

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Keywords

  • Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)
  • Pulp refining
  • Fibrillation degree
  • Interfibrillar distance
  • Interference factor
  • Crystallinity index