Paper and board for packaging must have as good mechanical properties as possible at the minimum possible weight or grammage. At the same time, they must achieve suitable surface properties for printing with different printing techniques. To achieve these properties, nanocellulose often added to them. Nanocellulose is a modern, naturally based nanomaterial, with exceptional mechanical properties. It can be obtained with chemical or mechanical procedures, with the use of appropriate microorganisms or with a combination of these approaches.
Depending on the method of production, dimensions and other properties, nanocellulose can be classified as nanofibrilated cellulose (NFC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC).
The purpose of our research was to determine the impact of two different types of nanocellulose, obtained from alternative raw materials, on basic, mechanical, surface, optical and printing properties of packaging paper, potentially used as uncoated, bleached kraft liner.
In the research, nanofibrilated cellulose was obtained from Japanese knotweed, which is one of the most invasive plants in Europe. Beside nanofibrillated cellulose, BNC was obtained from a by-product formed during the classical vinegar production.
To determine the effect of nanocellulose addition on paper properties, laboratory sheets were formed of kraft, bleached, eucalyptus cellulose fibers, with cationic starch and 10% or 20% of NFC or BNC added. Analyses of basic, mechanical, surface and printing properties have shown that the addition of both types of nanocellulose had a positive effect on most of the measured paper properties.
Based on the results of the research it can be concluded, that both obtained nanocelluloses are suitable for use in papermaking, despite the fact that they have been produced from alternative raw materials.
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