Investigation of replacement of imported long fiber pulp with cellulose nanofibers and cationic materials in the production of durable paper

This study aimed to investigate the use of cellulose nanofibers and starch-nano-cellulose and polyacrylamide-nano-cellulose hybrid systems for the replacement of imported long chemical fibers in the production of these papers. In this study, imported long fiber chemical pulp was added to cotton pulp at 4 levels. Cellulose nanofibers were added to cotton pulp at a 5% level with 1% starch and 0.1% with polyacrylamide. Three levels of cationic starch and three levels of cationic polyacrylamide were also used. From each of the treatments, 60 gm-2 handsheet were made finally the physical, mechanical and optical properties of the paper made from different pulps were compared. The results showed that with increasing nanocellulose individually, compared to imported long fibers, surface smoothness, tensile strength, bursting, tearing of paper increased and air resistance, folding resistance and opacity decreased. Increasing nanocellulose in combination with cationic polyacrylamide increased the paper air resistance and surface area, tensile, burst, tear, and folding strength of the paper compared to imported long fibers, air resistance and opacity. With the increase of nanocellulose in combination with cationic starch, as compared to imported long fibers, surface smoothness, tensile strength, bursting, folding increased but opacity decreased. FE-SEM results also showed that with increasing percentage of cellulose nanofibers, the pores decreased significantly. As a result of the addition of 5% cellulose nanofibers the surface of the paper became smoother and the pores were filled relatively, confirming the results of surface smoothness and air resistance.