Analysis of lignin precipitates on ozone treated kraft pulp by FTIR and AFM

The process of ozone treatment of high kappa kraft pulp is studied using polarization modulated Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The complementary information from the two methods enables a detailed analysis of reaction sites on the fibers, and gives a detailed view of the reaction mechanisms of delignification by ozone treatment. Furthermore we describe a simple method to measure the kappa number of paper sheets that can be used on-line.