Modification of NSSC pulp broke fibers using layering method and investigating its effect on paper properties

In the current study, modification of NSSC pulp broke fibers was done by forming starch polymeric multilayers, using Layer-by-Layer (LbL) layering method. After fiber slushing and preparation of pulp suspension with 0.5% consistency and conductivity formation of about 437 µS/cm, adding water solution of 1 mM NaCl, the experiments of fibers treatment were conducted to build the polymeric layers (up to 5 consecutive layers). Afterward, water retention value (WRV) of fibers was calculated in samples to evaluate the influence of this method on fibers hydrophilicity. The fibers were then used to prepare standard handsheets (60±3g/m2) and the physical and strength properties of sheets were evaluated as a function of the number of layers deposited on the fibers. The results showed that the WRV index of the fibers was improved by the LbL treatment of NSSC broke pulp fibers, due to the increase in starch electrostatic absorption. Successive variation in paper apparent density increase and paper thickness decrease confirmed the construction of starch multilayers on the surface of broke fibers. Formation of such multilayers on broke fibers has led to considerable improvement in tensile index (from 13.21 N.m/g to 30.65 N.m/g) and burst index (from 1.23 kPa.m2/g to 2.36 kPa.m2/g). Also, the prepared SEM micrographs approve the sheet web compaction and paper mechanical improvement resulted due to an increase in inter-fiber bonding.