The Effect of Nanofibrillated Tempo-oxidized Cotton Linters on the Strength and Optical Properties of Paper

Abstract

This study elaborates the application of composite films based on nanofibrillated cellulose obtained from cotton linters oxidized in the 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical (TEMPO)/NaBr/NaClO system, with the use of CaCО3 and/or Al(OH)3 as fillers, and glycols as plasticizers, to improve the mechanical, optical, and sorption properties of paper. The paper coating with nanofibrillated cellulose-based films, without additional adhesive, depending on the concentration of nanofibrillated cellulose in the dispersion and the type of filler, improves the mechanical properties of paper, and decreases sorption properties, while no significant changes were observed in optical properties compared to the initial papers.