Wet End Chemical Properties of a New Kind of Fire-Resistant Paper Pulp Based on Ultralong Hydroxyapatite Nanowires

Abstract

In 2014, a new type of the fire-resistant paper based on ultralong hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanowires was reported by the author’s research group, which had superior properties and promising applications in various fields, such as high-temperature resistance, fire retardance, heat insulation, electrical insulation, energy, environmental protection, and biomedicine. The wet end chemical properties of the fire-resistant paper pulp are very important for papermaking and mechanical performance of the paper, which play a guiding role in the practical production of the fire-resistant paper. In this paper, the wet end chemical properties of a new kind of fire-resistant paper pulp based on ultralong HAP nanowires are studied for the first time by focusing on the wet end chemical parameters, the effects of these parameters on the properties such as flocculation, retention, draining, and white water circulation of the fire-resistant paper pulp, and their effects on the properties of the as-prepared fire-resistant paper. The experimental results indicated that the wet end chemical properties of the new kind of fire-resistant paper pulp based on ultralong HAP nanowires were unique and entirely different from those of the traditional paper pulp based on plant fibers. The wet end chemical properties of the fire-resistant paper pulp were significantly influenced by the inorganic adhesive and its content, which affected the runnability of the paper machine and the properties of the as-prepared fire-resistant paper. The flocculation properties of the fire-resistant paper pulp based on ultralong HAP nanowires were affected by the conductivity and Zeta potential. The addition of the inorganic adhesive in the fire-resistant paper pulp based on ultralong HAP nanowires could significantly increase the conductivity of the fire-resistant paper pulp, reduce the particle size of paper pulp floccules, and increase the tensile strength of the fire-resistant paper. In addition, the fire-resistant paper pulp based on ultralong HAP nanowires in the presence of inorganic adhesive exhibited excellent antibacterial performance. This work will contribute to and accelerate the commercialization process and applications of the new type of the fire-resistant paper based on ultralong HAP nanowires.

Guidelines derived from biomineralized tissues for design and construction of high-performance biomimetic materials: from weak to strong

“…370,371 The as-prepared fire-resistant paper has various promising applications in many fields, such as biomedical, high-temperature resistance, fire resistance, environmental protection, energy, flexible electronics, safety protection, etc. 376–398 In addition, the aerogels and porous materials constructed from self-assembled ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowire bundles exhibit the combination of high porosity and good mechanical properties, and therefore are promising for a wide range of applications. 35,399–405…”

An Insight to the Various Applications of Hydroxyapatite

“…The HApNW/HEC composites attained a maximum dielectric breakdown strength of 12.7 kV/mm. Interestingly, ultralong HApNW pulp synthesized by Dong et al [155] displayed attractive electrical insulation properties, with a dielectric strength of 15.7 kV/mm and electrical resistivity of 6.3 × 10 8 Ωm. HApNW pulp appears to be a promising avenue for the exploration of developing HAp-based electrical insulators, rather than using HAp as a reinforcing agent for the electrical insulating properties of electrically insulating materials.…”