Surface modification of cellulose fibers with layer-by-layer self-assembly of lignosulfonate and polyelectrolyte: effects on fibers wetting properties and paper strength

Abstract

To convert the hydrophilic cellulose fiber into hydrophobic, multilayers composed of cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and lignosulfonate (LS) were constructed on cellulose fiber surface using layer-bylayer (LBL) self-assembly technique. The presence of CPAM/LS multilayers were validated by zeta potential, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that potential of fiber surface inversed after deposition of each layer, the contents of characteristic elements (i.e. S and N) of CPAM/LS multilayers increased with increasing bilayer number, furthermore, the calculated surface LS content increased linearly as a function of bilayers. AFM phase images indicated that the cellulose microfibrils on fiber surface were gradually covered by LS granules, resulting in an increase in fiber surface roughness as self-assembly proceeded. The wetting properties of modified cellulose fibers were detected by dynamic contact angle measurement. The results showed that the initial water contact angle gradually increased and the attenuation rate of the contact angle gradually decreased with the number of bilayers, suggesting that the controllable hydrophobicity of cellulose fiber can be achieved depending on the number of bilayers. It also showed that the polyelectrolyte presented in the outermost layer significantly influenced the wetting properties of cellulose fibers, and a higher hydrophobicity was observed when LS was in the outermost layer. Moreover, tensile strength test was performed on the handsheet prepared from LBL modified fibers to evaluate the effect of CPAM/ LS multilayers on strength property of cellulose fiber networks. The tensile index of handsheet prepared from fibers modified with a (CPAM/LS) 5 multilayer increased by 12.4% compared with that of handsheet prepared from original fibers. The print density of handsheet increased with the number of bilayers, suggesting that printability of the handsheet was improved by constructing CPAM/LS multilayers on cellulose fiber surface. This strategy will have a positive impact and potential application value in printing process control of cellulose fiber-based products.

A review on the extraction of pineapple, sisal and abaca fibers and their use as reinforcement in polymer matrix

“…The coated LbL thus acts as interphase and improves the fiber/matrix interaction. LbL technique was found to improve the properties of natural fibers such as its strength [84,85], wettability [86], flame retardant efficiency [87], antibacterial property etc. Battegazzore et al [85] modify the surface of hemp fibers using chitosan and sepiolite (CH/SEP) and found significant improvement in the mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate)/hemp fibers biocomposites.…”

“…Cellulose fiber with better hydrophobic character was generated by the adopting LbL self-assembly of cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and lignosulfonate (LS). LS nanomaterial was found to be responsible for inducing the hydrophobicity in the fiber, whereas CPAM strengthens the cellulose fiber [86]. Another cheap and ecofriendly treatment for modifying natural fibers is enzyme treatment.…”

Prospects for Maintaining Strength of Paper and Paperboard Products While Using Less Forest Resources: A Review

“…Though it is often not practical to replicate all aspects of the usual PEM approach when using cellulosic fibers (such as drying the substrate after each application of a layer or precisely measuring the layer thicknesses), several such studies have been carried out (Wågberg et al 2002;Eriksson et al 2005aEriksson et al ,b, 2006Torgnysdøtter and Wågberg 2006;Brännvall et al 2007;Lingström and Wågberg 2008;Ankerfors et al 2009Ankerfors et al , 2012Zhou et al 2010;Chin et al 2012;Li et al 2012a). Polyelectrolyte bilayer application based on the same principles, and its effect on paper strength, also has been reported (Myllytie et al 2009;Aarne et al 2012a).…”

Layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly of a lignin–poly(vinyl alcohol) based polyelectrolyte with a conductivity method

“…Research on lignin polyelectrolytes, which mainly include lignin polyether carboxylate, lignosulfonate, cationic lignin, and so on, have been reported by many researchers. Lignin polyelectrolyte is mainly used as a water reducer, adsorbent, corrosion inhibitor, and flocculants . In our laboratory, a cationic lignin was prepared with industry wheat straw soda lignin.…”