Effects of alkaline sulfite anthraquinone and methanol pulping conditions on the mechanical and optical paper properties of bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical and optical properties of paper made from alkaline sulfite anthraquinone and methanol (ASAM) unbleached pulp from bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii). The bamboo pulps were beaten using a PFI mill at 10,000 revolutions. To determine the properties of unbleached bamboo ASAM paper, handsheets with a density of 60 g/m2 were formed with 14 to 18% NaOH, 80/20 Na2SO3/ NaOH, 0.1% AQ, 0.5% EDTA, and 15% methanol pulping conditions. Pulping at 18% NaOH for 120 min cooking time produced paper with properties of 24.8 Nm/g and 43.02% for the tensile index and ISO brightness, respectively. Cooking at 16% sodium hydroxide for 90 min rendered the best results for mechanical and optical properties, with results of 20.86 Nm/g, 22.64 mN.m2/g, and 39.32% ISO value for the tensile, tear indices, and brightness, respectively. High quality bamboo paper produced by the ASAM pulping process was beneficial for producing highly durable paper and paperboard

Properties of paper manufactured from kenaf as function of alkaline pH medium and retention of precipitated calcium carbonate

The objective of this study was to have a better understanding of the effect of alkaline pH medium in the retention of filler in papermaking using kenaf bleached pulp. Three stages of experiments were carried out involving papermaking at alkaline pH medium 8 to 13, usage of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), Albacar (ABC) of needle-shaped and Albafil (ABF) of circular-shaped, and the application of low and high molecular weight of polyacrylamides (PAM LM and PAM HM). Paper samples were manufactured based on TAPPI Test Method T295 om-88. Characterisation of specimens in terms of filler content, tensile, tear and burst strength were carried out. The results showed that pH medium influenced the inter-fibre bonding of the fibres during papermaking whereby pH 8-9 is found as the best medium in producing stronger paper. The findings are significant in order to suit the pH according to certain shape and size of such fillers

Effects of physical treatments on the hydrophobicity of kenaf whole stem paper surface using stearic acid.

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a relatively new industrial crop which has been identified as an alternative source of fiber in the papermaking industry in Malaysia. In this study, experimental unbleached kenaf kraft paper samples were used as a substrate to produce water-resistant paper by employing a special coating. In the preparation of the coating formulation, commercially precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) was used as the filler, in addition to 0 to 0.32 w/w g of hydrophobic stearic acid (SA). Polymer latex (PL) was added at 0.4 to 0.16 w/w g into the coating compound to control the surface roughness of the samples. The paper morphology was examined by employing a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Hydrophobic kenaf kraft paper prepared in this study had water contact angle (θ) greater than 90°. Hydrophobic paper made with formulation PL4c resulted in the highest value contact angle of 147°. The process of surface coating by dipping increased the water contact angle and this treated paper achieved a high hydrophobic level. For mechanical properties, the coated kenaf paper showed decreasing tensile strength as the addition of stearic acid increased

Optimization of laccase production by locally isolated Trichoderma muroiana IS1037 using rubber wood dust as substrate

Laccases have great biotechnological potential in various industries as they catalyze the oxidation of a broad variety of chemical compounds, diamines, and aromatic amines. The production of laccases by fungi has been broadly studied due to their secretion of enzymes and their growth using cheap substrates. In this study, five native fungi isolates (Dr1, Dr2, Dr4, K5, and K9) were screened for laccase enzyme production. The ability to produce laccase was evaluated based on light green to dark color formation on a potato dextrose agar using 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) as an indicator. The highest laccase production was obtained by Dr4, which was identified as Trichoderma muroiana IS1037. Among the different carbon sources tested (rubber wood dust, rice straw, sugar cane bagasse, and oil palm empty fruit bunch), the highest laccase activity (5.84 U/mL) was obtained in submerged fermentation using rubber wood dust as substrate. Laccase production was further enhanced with the addition of 2 mM copper sulfate. In conclusion, the local fungus isolate Trichoderma muroiana IS1037 is a potential fungi-producing laccase that can use rubberwood dust as carbon source

Water absorbency and mechanical properties of kenaf paper blended via a disintegration technique.

In this study, blended paper was prepared by blending synthetic polyethylene (PE) via a disintegration technique. The produced paper was targeted to resist water or moisture. Unbleached kenaf whole stem pulp was used as the main source of fibre in making the paper. The pulp was blended with two types of PE: low-branched (LB) and high-branched (HB) polymers. To study the effect of PE addition to the paper, the water absorbency and mechanical properties were characterized. The pulp to PE mixtures were prepared at ratios of 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, and 5:5. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the PE was melted between the fibre linkages. The Cobb test determined that the blended paper absorbed less than 20 g/m2 of water within 60 s. The best water contact angle successfully achieved was at 84°, which is almost hydrophobic. The mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and tear strength, were in the range of accepted standard requirements. The obtained results indicated that blending via a disintegration technique can be applied in the process of making water-resistant paper. The produced paper is suitable for the manufacturing of water-resistant corrugated packaging materials

Characterisation of pulp and paper manufactured from oil palm empty fruit bunches and kenaf fibres

In papermaking, blending or mixture of fibres is one of the ways to enhance mechanical properties of paper. The objective of this study was to evaluate the properties of paper manufactured from mixture of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and kenaf fibres. The papers were prepared according to 10, 30, 50 and 70 percentages of kenaf whole stem blended into oil palm empty fruit bunch fibres. The preparation and testing of papers were carried out based on TAPPI Test Methods. Results showed that using kenaf whole stem fibres improved the mechanical properties of the blended papers and complied with the standard requirement for writing and printing grade paper

Characterization of polyethylene nanocomposite prepared by one-pot extrusion method

This study attempts to produce polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanofiber (CNF) derived from oil palm mesocarp fibers (OPMF). Unlike other polymers, PE has always been underestimated and it was extensively been used as packaging products. Therefore, instead of being continuously used for the manufacturing of low-value products, the prospect of PE for the manufacturing of high-end products should be identified. In order to do so, the properties of PE needs to be improved and one of the possible method to improve the properties of PE is by reinforcing CNF during composite processing stage. Most conventional methods however required two separated processing; nanofibrillation and composite fabrication. In this study, cellulose extracted from OPMF was nanofibrillated and subsequently fabricated into PE matrix by one-pot extrusion method. Results obtained from this study showed that nanocomposites prepared by one-pot extrusion recorded 57, 93, 198, and 25% higher for tensile strength, Young’s modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus, respectively compared to the neat PE. This study hence proved that one-pot extrusion method is able to produce nanocomposite with better mechanical properties compared to the neat PE

Isolation and characterization of macerated cellulose from pineapple leaf

Diverse renewable resources, especially those obtained from residual agricultural wastes, are being exploited to reduce the impact of environmental damage. This study presents a method to produce purified cellulose extracted from locally planted pineapple leaves (Ananas comosus). The cellulose was extracted by maceration pretreatment. The heating times were varied. This method is a simpler and more effective approach to delignify the pineapple leaf fibers compared with conventional chemical pulping and bleaching processes. The chemical composition of the cellulose was investigated according to TAPPI standards and by structural analyses, namely Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that the hemicellulose and lignin were partially removed from the cellulose. Chemical analysis confirmed that the cellulose content increased from 25.8% (pineapple leaf fibers) to 70.9% (macerated cellulose). The optimum heating time was 3 h. However, XRD showed that the extracted cellulose had a higher crystallinity index than the initial pineapple leaf fibers. These results indicated that pretreatment via maceration has good potential applications in the production of macerated cellulose

Effect of microcrystalline cellulose on the strength of oil palm empty fruit bunch paper

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is one of the most copious residues which are left behind after the oil refining process. It is categorized as short fiber which can be used in the production of pulp and paper. In most cases, EFB fibers need other supporting agent to enhance their wet and dry strength of paper properties. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of paper strength after incorporating different percentage of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) of 0, 3, 6 and 9% with EFB fibers. The standard method in producing the hand-sheet was applied. Comparison is carried among all samples to determine the optimum percentage of MCC which is suitable to strengthen the paper. Results showed that physical properties of paper in terms of porosity do not have significant effect while the opacity was slightly decreased. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and tear resistance for MCC papers are better especially paper tensile strength. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image showed the morphological structure of paper surface that contains without and with MCC. In conclusion mechanical properties of the hand-sheets are improved with the incorporation of less than 10% MCC into the pulp fibers

Effects of palm wax on the physical, mechanical and water barrier properties of fish gelatin films for food packaging application

Fish gelatin films added with different palm wax (PW) concentrations (0–60%) were analysed for the physical, mechanical, microstructural and water resistance properties. The results showed that the gelatin/palm wax (GP) films with higher PW concentration were thicker, opaquer, less stiff and more flexible than the control films. The tensile strength of the GP film significantly (p < 0.05) increased with the incorporation of 15 % PW but decreased when higher concentration of PW was added. The incorporation of PW with increasing concentrations significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the films’ solubility and swelling. Similarly, the 15 % GP films also had a significantly (p < 0.05) lower water vapour permeability and higher contact angle than control film. The GP films added with 15 % PW showed the best improvement on its UV barrier, mechanical and water resistance properties if compared to control. In conclusion, the incorporation of PW resulted to enhance physical and water barrier properties of fish gelatin films