Comparison of the internal functionalization and surface modification methods of chemi-mechanical pulp handsheets using nanocellulose, chitosan, and DTPA

The optical and mechanical properties of paper sheets were compared following treatment with biopolymers using two different methods, i.e., internal functionalization and surface modification. Industrial chemi-mechanical pulp was provided, and two groups of paper handsheets were made. The first group of paper sheet samples were prepared with incorporated chitosan in a mixed-in-pulp slurry (at three treatment levels, i.e., 0%, 1%, and 2%), and in the second group, untreated handsheets were spray-coated with either 2% chitosan, 2% nanocellulose, 0.5% DTPA, or a mixed solution (0.5% DTPA + 2% chitosan + 2% nanocellulose). Then, the optical and mechanical properties of the prepared paper sheets were analyzed. The brightness, opacity, and greenness/redness of the samples were measured spectrophotometrically using the CIELab system. Additional properties of the paper, i.e., the water absorption, air permeability, and tear, tensile, and burst resistance, of the treated samples were also measured. The results indicated that the treatments had a considerable effect on the relative mechanical and optical parameters, which resulted in an increase in the mechanical properties, especially when the nano-particles were applied to the mixed-in-slurry process. Inversely, results from the spray-coating method indicated better results for the optical specifications.