Effect of chitosan-nanosilica self-assembly layers chitosan- on cotton linter fibers and the paper properties

Surface properties of cellulosic fibers can be modified by Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique. Cotton fibers are one of important non-wood and industrial cellulosic resources in the world. Cotton linters is produced as a by-product accompany with cotton fibers which is used as a significant cellulosic sources in paper industry for producing durable paper. In this research، the influence of alternate adsorption of cationic chitosan and anionic Nanosilica on modification of fiber surface of cotton linter was investigated. The adsorption of materials on cellulosic fibers was analyzed via electrolyte titration. Experiments were conducted at pH≈3-4 for formation of cationic layer and pH≈9-10 for formation of anionic layer applying stirring rate of about 750rpm، for15 minute deposition time to construct 1 to 3 layers. Hand sheets of about 60 g/ m2 basis weight were made form modified pulp fibers prepared by multilayering of chitosan and nanosilica، then their structural properties and bonding ability were evaluated. Bonding ability of fibers was improved by polyelectrolyte multilayering (PEM) on the surface of cotton linter fibers which was visualized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The results showed that apparent density and also bonding ability was improved in the treated fibers because of the increased electrostatic attraction between polycation and anion sites existed on the fiber surface. Apparant density of paper was improved remarkably compared to the untreated fibers. Tensile index of the sheet was increased about 16% with consecutive adsorption onto the cotton linter fibers compared to untreated fibers. Formation index of paper was slightly deteriorated after polyelectrolytes multilayering.