2007 International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry, June 13-15, 2007, Knoxville, TN 

Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) for Papermaking

Yong Zou, and Jeffery S. Hsieh

School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering,Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0100

Typical properties of the three pulpsSample CS Freeness

(ml) Brightness

(%) Bulk

(cm3/g) pH

Bleached Softwood

500 90.4 1.45 6.9

Bleached Hardwood

500 90.7 1.64 6.9

BCTMP-softwood

422 69.4 3.51 6.9

MFC-Lyocell Microfibrillated Fiber

Process for Papermaking The MFC from Engineered Fibers technology, LLC.

was dispersed into 1.65% solution Some of the MFC were refined by Hollander beater

equipment 6% the MFC or refined MFC was added into 3%

consistence pulp, and stirred and mixed together Handsheets were produced by the stand TAPPI

process-TAPPI T205sp-95 as well

The effect of refining process on the MFC’s properties

Sample Charge pH Concentration Freeness (ml)

MFC -0.20 6.45 0.30 189.4

3hrs-refinery -0.70 6.72 0.30 32.6

6 hrs -refinery

-0.73 6.87 0.29 30.7

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties

Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day)

Bleached softwood

Control 7.2 148.2 358.6

MFC (6%) 9.1 186.5 374.7

Δ (%) +26.4 +25.8 +4.5

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties

Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day)

Bleached hardwood

Control 5.5 159.5 335.2

MFC (6%) 5.8 208.1 377.3

Δ (%) +5.5 +30.5 +12.6

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties

Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day)

BCTMP-softwood

Control 4.1 163.6 408.1

MFC (6%) 5.3 176.0 424.1

Δ (%) +29.3 +7.6 +3.9

Tensile

26.4

5.5

29.3

05

101520253035

BSW BHW BCTMP-SW

Pulp

(%)

Cobb value

7.6

30.525.8

05

101520253035

BSW BHW BCTMP-SW

Pulp

(%)

MVTR

3.9

12.6

4.5

02468

101214

BSW BHW BCTMP-SW

Pulp

(%)

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties

Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day)

Bleached softwood

Control 7.2 148.2 358.6

MFC (6%) 9.1 186.5 374.7

3hrs refining MFC (6%)

10.1 205.1376.6

6hrs refining MFC (6%)

10.2 205.2388.8

Conclusions MFC can improve the tensile strength, water absorption

capacity-Cobb value and vapor transfer ability (MVTR) of paper, which was made from hardwood and softwood fiber, especially tensile from softwood increased ~26-30%, vapor transfer ability-MVTR from hardwood improved ~12%; water absorption capacity improved ~8-30%

Refining process can further improve MFC’s efficiency, particularly for tensile and water absorption ability increased ~10%. However, the efficiency of refining process is limit. It therefore should design and develop some new processes to improve MFC’s efficiency.