Effects of Different Levels of Nanocellulose and Chemical Pulp on the Optical and Mechanical Properties of Money Paper Made with Bottom Combers Pulp

Simultaneous effects of using cellulose nanocellulose and chemical pulp in paper money were studied with bottom combers cotton pulp. The bottom combers pulp and chemical pulp were prepared in a factory that produced durable paper, and their products were transferred to the laboratory. The nanocellulose was prepared by Nano Novin Polymer Co. and was consumed at 4 levels, i.e., 0%, 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.9%. After commixing the pulp with the nanocellulose at the identified percentages, handsheets of 90 g.m(-2) papers were produced. The results showed that by increasing the amount of nanocellulose, up to 0.9%, the tensile strength index, burst strength index, tear strength index, and folding endurance increased 22.7%, 38.9%, 7.7%, and 348%, respectively, when compared with the control sample. Enhancement via nanocellulose up to 0.9% increased the surface smoothness up to 7.9% compared with the control sample, while the air resistance and Cobb decreased 69% and 7.9% in comparison with control sample, respectively. By increasing the nanocellulose content up to 0.9% the opacity increased 0.7%; moreover, the brightness and whitening decreased 3.5% and 10.6, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy results indicated that enhancement via nanocellulose decreased the air resistance.