Effect of molar ratios of DES on lignin contents and handsheets properties of thermomechanical pulp

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of deep eutectic solvent (DES) treatment on properties of TMP fibers and handsheets. DES was prepared by mixing of lactic acid and betaine (L and B), and the molar ratio of these two components mixtures was controlled to 2:1 (L:B=2:1) and 5:1 (L:B=5:1). As results, lignin was partly extracted from the TMP fibers. Especially, the delignification of TMP samples was promoted according to the increase of the molar ratio of lactic acid. Except for tear index, both tensile index and burst index of handsheets were increased when higher molar ratio of lactic acid was mixed for DES preparation. However, the LB DES treatment of TMP fibers didn't give any effect on the optical properties of TMP handsheets. The plausibility of TMP fiber was to be enhanced by LB DES treatment.