THE ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION OF ANIONIC GROUPS IN TMP

The distribution of anionic groups in the fibers, the fines, the colloidal fraction and the dissolved fraction, respectively, of thermomechanical pulp (TMP) suspensions was determined and peroxide bleaching of spruce TMP were also studied. Spruce TMP was extracted with hexane, treated with alkali, or bleached with peroxide. Suspensions made at pH 5.5 were fractionated into long fibres, large fines, small fines, a colloidal fraction and a dissolved fraction. The charge of the fractions was determined using polyelectrolyte titration. To determined the origin of the charges, the contents of fatty acids, resin acids and acidic units in hemicelluloses in the different fractions were determined by has chromatography. Extraction of TMP with hexane prior to fractionation increased the measured charge of the fibres. The removal of the wood resin probably uncovered some carboxyl groups on the fibre surfaces, or improved th e penetration of polybrene into the pores of the fibres. The charge of the fines and the colloidal fraction was lower when the wood resin had been removed. Alkaline treatment of the TMP increased the charge of the fibres and fines, mainly because of demethylation of pectins. Alkaline treatment increased the charge also of the dissolved fraction, because of the release the charge also of the dissolved fraction, because of the release of pectic acids into the water phase. Alkaline peroxide bleaching further increased the charge of fibres and the dissolved fraction, most likely because of lignin oxidation. The charge of the colloidal fraction, consisting mainly of wood resin, was only slightly affected by alkaline treatment and peroxide bleaching. The anionic groups in TMP suspensions were mainly free uronic acids in the hemicelluloses. The contribution from the fatty and resin acids was substantial only for the colloidal fraction.