Experimental Study on the Manufacturing of Functional Paper with Modified by N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide Surfaces

Abstract

The manufacturing of paper with new functional properties is a current problem today. A method of modifying the surface layer of paper by the partial dissolution of cellulose on its surface is proposed. N-Methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) is proposed for use as a solvent, the regeneration of which provides an environmentally friendly process. It was shown that among the possible hydrate forms of the solvent, the monohydrate and higher-melting forms are optimal for modifying the paper surface. The temperature–time modes of processing were revealed and the weight gain and density increase in the course of modification were estimated. The structural and morphological features of the original and modified paper were studied by X-ray imaging and scanning microscopy. The NMMO surface treatment makes it possible to vary the air permeability of the paper, making it practically non-permeable. The capillary and pore system were radically transformed after the partial dissolution of cellulose and its coagulation, as the formed cellulose film isolates them, which leads to a decrease in surface absorbency. The processing conditions allowing for the optimization of the optical and strength properties of the modified paper samples are revealed. The resulting paper with a modified N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide surface layer can be used for printing valuable documents.

Hydrophobic, Sustainable, High-Barrier Regenerated Cellulose Film via a Simple One-Step Silylation Reaction

“…)-based films [72][73][74][75]. Recently, Makarov et al reported N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) surface treatment based on the partial dissolution of cellulose and its coagulation for modification of a paper surface [30]. In general, surface-modified RC films exhibit uniform surface morphology as well as high transmittance compared with surface-modified papers, probably due to a perfect dissolution and regeneration process.…”

“…Various surface modification techniques based on chemical agents and fluorinated coating materials have been developed to control the wetting properties of cellulose films because of their low surface energy [28,29]. Recently, Makarov et al reported a facile method to modify the surface layer of cellulose paper with a N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) solvent [30]. Deep interactions between NMMO and cellulose fiber can lead to the strong swelling and dissolution of cellulose, leading to a decrease in air permeability and water absorption.…”