Linerboard made from Soda-Anthraquinone (Soda-AQ) treated coconut coir fiber and effect of pulp beating

The performance of coir fiber in the production of linerboard made from soda-anthraquinone (soda-AQ) pulp was evaluated. Based on chemical analysis, the composition of coir fiber is suitable for the pulping process. Out of nine pulping conditions characterized, a pulping condition of 18% active alkali for 90 min cooking time was chosen. These conditions provided the highest screened yield (48.99%), a low rejection yield (0.27%), high viscosity (11.73 cP), and a kappa number (41) that is acceptable for unbleached linerboard production. Beating strengthened the coir pulp. Analyzing the beating revealed that coir pulp was optimized at 1000 to 2000 revolutions, based on a graph of freeness vs. burst index. For all beating conditions (1000 to 8000 revolutions), FESEM micrographs showed the presence of internal and external fibrillation of the fiber, which gradually increased fiber conformability and improved the inter-fiber bonding within the paper formation. Based on its burst strength of 4.57 kPa.m2/g and ring crush test of 1.76 Nm2/g, which complies with the minimum requirement of the industry standard, coir fiber can be considered an alternative fiber source for linerboard production

Suitability of coir fibers as pulp and paper

This study was to investigate the suitability of coir fibers as an alternative material in making pulp and paper. Maceration process was used to characterize the fiber. Soda-AQ pulping with various combinations of active alkali (18-22%) and cooking time (90- 150 minutes) at fixed temperature was done. Physical properties evaluated were density, brightness, opacity, scattering coefficient, tear, burst and tensile index. As concentration of active alkali and cooking time increased, the physical properties values also increased, except for the opacity and scattering coefficient. The optimum condition for producing the strongest paper is using 22% active alkali in 120 minutes

Alkaline sulfite anthraquinone and methanol pulping of bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii)

Alkali ratios and cooking time of the alkaline sulfite anthraquinone(AQ)and methanol (ASAM) pulping process of bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii)were studied. Bamboo chips were cooked at three different levels of sodium hydroxide and cooking time, namely14, 16, or18% for 60, 90, or 120 minutes. Pulping parameters that remained constant were the use of 0.5% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), with an 80/20 ratioNa2SO3/NaOH, 0.1% anthraquinone, 15% methanol, and a temperature of 170 °C in the cooking process. Samples prepared using 14% NaOH and 90 min of cooking time resulted in the highest pulp yield, 52.4%, and a Kappa number of 18.1. It seems that 16% sodium hydroxide and 90 min of cooking time are the most appropriate cooking conditions, giving a 49.1% pulp yield and 14.2Kappa number. The quality of bamboo pulp produced by the ASAM pulping process was found to be beneficial for the use in paper and board manufacturing

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

Isolation of cellulose nanocrystals from Gigantochloa scortechinii ASAM pulp

This study aims to characterize the cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) isolated from alkaline sulfite anthraquinone and methanol (ASAM) bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii) pulp. The hydrolysis was carried out using 64% (w/w) sulfuric acid at 45 °C for 45 min. The CNC was subjected to field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The measurement of diameter for CNC was done by FESEM and TEM, which was in the range of 10–20 nm. The XRD and FTIR results exhibited that bamboo CNC has higher crystallinity index, 78% compared to bleached ASAM bamboo pulp, 60%

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

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

Nanotechnology in pulp and paper industries: a review

Cellulose and lignocellulose have great potential as nanomaterials because they are abundant, renewable, have a nanofibrillar structure, can be made multifunctional and self-assemble into well-defined architectures. New methods for liberating these materials, including nanodimensional cellulose fibrils, macromolecules and nanominerals will be needed in order to use the techniques developed for other nanomaterials as platforms for creating new wood-based materials and products. Research findings showed promising results in application of nanotechnology at different aspects of papermaking. Electrospinning; chemical treatment followed by mechanical techniques; or mechanical isolation methods were applied by different research groups to prepare cellulose nanofibres

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