Modification of APMP fibers using 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHTAC) and its influence on pulp properties

Alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) is a kind of high yield pulp that comes with the comprehensive utilization of plant material, such as poplar. APMP has lots of benefits, such as easy preparation, good bulkness, good stiffness, excellent optical performance and good printability. However, it also has disadvantages of lower pulp physical strength. In this paper, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHTAC) was used to modify the APMP pulp fibers for improving its strength properties. The effects of modification conditions on APMP properties, and the related modification mechanism were investigated. The results showed that the optimal conditions were CHTAC dosage 0.8 % (based on oven dried pulp), NaOH dosage 1 % (oven dried pulp), temperature 50 degrees C and pulp consistency 8 %. The improvement of treated pulp strength was evaluated in terms of tensile index, tear index and burst index. Internal bonding strength and FTIR analysis were used to discuss the positive effect of CHTAC treatment on APMP pulp. This paper also provides a promising technology to improve the APMP pulp properties and broaden its application fields.