Effect of Cationic Nanofibrillated Cellulose and Nanofibrillated Cellulose-Cationic Starch on Properties of Soda Bagasse Pulp

In recent years, the use of nano fibrillated cellulose (NFC) have been received a great attention. In this study, NFC cationized at three levels of 10, 20 and 30 wt% using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl tri-methyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) and the cationic modification verified by Kjeldahl test. Then, the effects of the cationic nano fibrillated cellulose (CNFC) which were added to the bagasse pulp at four levels (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2% based on OD pulp) on retention, drainage, and also the laboratory handsheet properties were assessed and compared with complex mechanism containing NFC (at the same addition levels of CNFC)/cationic starch (0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% based on OD pulp). The results showed that the type and amount of the additives have significant effects on all the optical and strength properties of paper. Using NFC, whether as unmodified together with cationic starch or as solely modified, made an increment in freeness and retention of the bagasse pulp and also, air permeance of the handsheet, and led to superior mechanical performance of CNFC in comparison with NFC/cationic starch. CNFC poses ionic bonding ability in addition to its hydrogen bonding, which in turn resulted in its more evenly distribution across the paper network and better performance as promoter biopolymer of paper. Furthermore, utilization of CNFC caused increment and NFC/cationic starch caused decline in brightness of paper, produced from bagasse pulp.