Interactionof sunlight and UV light with thermomechanical (TMP) pulps, milled wood lignin (MWL) and various lignin model compounds in solid state was studied. It was found that TMP fibers were sensitive to these lights. During exposure, TMP lost its brightness as a function of irradiation time and increased its yellowness. The a-carbonyl group functioned as a light absorption center to promote photocleavage of C a -C fi and 6-0-4 linkages. Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies demonstrated that free radicals were generated in the interim.Phenoxy radicals appeared to be important radical intermediates that ultimately transformed into oquinonoid structures.
INTRODUCTIONRapid development and utilization of thermomechanical (TMP) and chemithermomechanical (CTMP) pulps have attracted considerable attention in the pulp and paper industry in the last twenty years. Much research has been conducted to improve the quality, such as strength and color, of these products. Nonetheless, overcoming discoloration and brightness reversion of TMP and CTMP appear to be a perplexing task. The causes of