Cell Wall Micropore Loading of Pulp Fibers

펄프 섬유의 세포벽 미세공극 충전

The unique cell wall micropores of pulp fiber can be utilized as loading site in variety of important practical application which could be the basis of new papermaking technologies. One of these includes the manufature of paper containing higher levels of in situ filler precipitated. Hardwood pulp fiber were first impregnated with the solution of sodium carbonate($Na_2CO_3$). The micropores in cell wall of pulp fibers were filled with the liquid salt solution. The second calcium nitrate($Ca(NO_3)_2$) solution formed an insoluble calcium carbonate($CaCO_3$) precipitate within the cell wall micropores by interacting with the first sodium carbonate solution. The effects of chemical concentration and dryness of pulp fibers on the retention of cell wall micropore loaded filler were investigated. The paper properties of cell wall micropore loaded pulp fibers were compared with those of conventionally loaded and lumen loaded pulp fibers. Also the presense of the fillers within the cell wall micropore was observed by SEM. Increasing the chemical concentration to generate the calcium carbonate increased the retention of filler in cell wall micropore loaded pulp fibers. The particle size distribution of precipitated calcium carbonate ranged from $0.1{\mu}m$ to $80{\mu}m$. But, the average particle size of cell wall micropore loaded calcium carbonate was $4{\mu}m$. The paper made from never dried pulp fibers, the cell wall micropores which were filled with calcium carbonate, had better mechanical and optical properties than those of conventionally loaded or lumen loaded pulp fibers.