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The mineralization of inorganic components in paper sludge offers potential for their re-use in various fields. This study synthesized carbonates based on the minerals present in paper sludge and aimed to investigate the control of particle size distribution and particle shape of the synthesized carbonates. First, the physicochemical and thermal properties of paper mill sludge and ash were evaluated using a spectrophotometer, XRF, and TGA. Paper sludge ash was obtained by incinerating the paper sludge, followed by a carbonation reaction using CO2 gas injection and pH neutralization to produce recycled fillers. The average particle size, crystal lattice structure, and morphology of the recycled fillers were analyzed using a particle size analyzer, XRD, and FE-SEM. The results indicate that the recycled filler produced from coating paper sludge exhibited similar brightness and morphology to conventional paper-based fillers, suggesting its potential to replace commercial PCC (Precipitated Calcium Carbonate). In contrast, the recycled filler manufactured using old corrugated container mill sludge was deemed unsuitable due to its low hydration activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strength properties of paper are of great significance in terms of its mechanical performance and are attributed to cellulosic fibers. When filler is used in papermaking, the cost and strength properties get reduced but optical properties are improved. So far, modification of fillers using chitosan (CH) is not explored in such a way that all aspects of wet-end of papermaking get covered. The novelty lies in showing the effect of CH as filler modifier at various doses on different fillers and the wet-end application of modified fillers at different doses along with other additives used in papermaking. The impact of addition of modified fillers on end paper properties is also analyzed. Here, CH was applied to modify fillers characteristics so that the ash in paper can be increased without compromising the strength properties. Three different doses (0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00%) of CH were added to the fillers. The addition of modified fillers to bleached mixed hardwood (BMHW) pulp increased the filler retention in paper while the reduction in strength properties was found to be less and in some properties even an increase was observed. The particle size distributions of fillers were found to be affected after modification of fillers.

• Water retention curves (WRCs) of municipal solid wastes (MSWs) • Hysteresis of WRCs of MSWs with decomposition. • Effects of decomposition and paper content on the WRCs. • Unsaturated hydraulic and gas conductivity of MSWs. This paper investigates the drying and wetting water retention curves (WRCs) of municipal solid wastes (MSWs) with different paper contents, dry unit weights and degrees of biodegradation (DOBs). Fresh synthetic samples were prepared based on the field composition of the MSWs at Mugga Lane Landfill, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australia. The degraded samples were prepared in simulators with MSWs of different initial dry unit weights and decomposition periods with leachate recirculation. The water retention curves (WRCs) of the MSWs were determined using pressure plate tests, in both drying and wetting phases. The outflow from MSWs was analysed using Gardner's method to obtain the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. The results indicate that the WRCs of the MSWs are greatly affected by the DOB, paper content and dry unit weight. When DOB < 30 %, as DOB increases, the air-entry pressure of MSWs with paper increases, and the residual moisture content decreases regardless of paper content. With DOB > 30 %, the air entry pressure and residual water content depend on the balance between organic matter and highly decomposed organic constituents. The paper content affects the WRCs of MSWs due to its water retention capacity and change in the particle size distribution with decomposition. The increase in the dry unit weight of MSWs significantly increases the air entry pressure and residual moisture content, similar to the borehole samples with combined effects of biodegradation and increase in stress level from literature. Hysteresis effects have been observed during the drying and wetting of MSWs. The hysteresis of WRCs increases with the paper content and DOB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the potential of agricultural waste, specifically flax straw, as a sustainable raw material for eco-friendly packaging materials. This study investigates a three-stage delignification process involving nitric acid, alkaline treatment, and organosolvent solutions. This method effectively removes lignin from the straw, resulting in high-quality technical pulp with 67.7% α-cellulose and a significantly reduced ash content (8.5%). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to characterize the treated flax straw. XRD analysis revealed changes in the cellulose structure, while TGA indicated enhanced thermal stability compared to untreated straw. Microscopic analysis of the pulp fibers shows a parallel and aligned arrangement, suggesting a high fiber content and a strong paper lattice. The particle size distribution of the ground pulp, influenced by fiber size, has implications for the packing density and mechanical properties of the final product. This study demonstrates the potential of agricultural waste as a sustainable source for packaging materials, contributing to the circular economy and waste reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesian municipal solid waste (MSW) is dominated by biodegradable MSW (organic and paper). Due to the degradation process, the physical and hydraulic characteristics of these components can change. It is important to study the physical and hydraulic characteristics of MSW, because landslides occurred in several landfills in Indonesia after heavy rains. Field observations showed that landslides occur due to reduced paper components in the landfill (due to high recycling activities), and cause high percolation of water into the landfill. In the research, 38 samples consisting of two variants of MSW samples (organic and 80% organic + 20% paper), were prepared under the conditions of optimum moisture content. The organic sample of MSW is leaf, while the paper sample of MSW is newspaper, which were shredded to a diameter of about 1 cm. The tests of moisture content, bulk density (in the mould of permeameter), particle size distribution, and permeability were carried out on both sample variants for 90 days, with a test frequency of once in 5 days. The results showed that there was an increase in the moisture content and density, and a decrease in particle size and permeability in both variants of MSW sample. Organic MSW + paper has lower permeability and higher density than organic MSW. This requires further study, because a high paper recycling ratio can lead to a change in the landfill characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Natural Fibers is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper reports the results of an exploratory experimental study to manufacture eco-friendly lightweight bricks through binary mix of paper mill sludge (PMS) and soil. The pre-manufacture activities include mineralogical, chemical, thermal and index properties characterisation of two kinds of soils (laterite and alluvial) and PMS. The mix ratio between PMS and soil was varied (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) and two firing temperatures 850 °C and 900 °C were tested in order to emulate the typical conditions of a kiln. The performance of incorporating PMS into the mix was tested by evaluating properties such as linear shrinkage, compressive strength, water absorption, mass loss on ignition, and bulk density of bricks as recommended by the relevant Indian and ASTM standard codes. X ray diffraction results confirmed that the addition of PMS does not show any phase transformation and only enhances the porosity thereby leading to weight reduction. Based on the results, an optimum mix of 10% PMS with both soil types was found suitable for brick production at a firing temperature of 900 °C. Results obtained in this study will be helpful to brick industry for commercial production of PMS incorporated bricks leading to sustainable use of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melamine-impregnated paper is made by impregnating paper with melamine-formaldehyde resin and can be hot-pressed and laminated onto the surface of wood boards. If the paper has antibacterial activity, it can prevent the spread of indoor bacteria, but impregnated paper with a long-term antibacterial effect has not been proposed. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been studied as a reservoir of metal ions. In this study, a silver-metal organic framework (Ag-BTC) was synthesized by a green and scalable method at 60 °C (A-60) and at room temperature (A-25). The structure and thermal stability of the Ag-BTC were characterized. Compared with A-25, the structure and particle size distribution of A-60 were more regular and uniform. The thermal stability and the compatibility of Ag-BTC and MF resin were suitable for hot-pressing process. Ag-BTC in the cured impregnated paper exhibited the sustained-release performance of Ag+. The antibacterial ratio of decorated blockboards with 0.10 wt% A-25 to E. coli and S. aureus exceeded 99.99%, reaching Level I antibacterial grade. Compared with A-60-decorated blockboards, the better antibacterial activity of A-25-decorated blockboards was due to the release of more Ag+. This study provides new ideas for the design of antibacterial melamine-impregnated paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the potential risk of exposure to nanoparticles of workers in paper mills. In the final stage of the paper production, the very large sheets are wound onto large reels, where these are processed depending on their ultimate use. Paper is smoothed and compacted by passing through metal rollers. During these mechanical treatments nanometric ultrafine particles are generated. In particular, the nanoparticle presence, size and morphology were investigated and differences between particles produced either in summer or winter seasons were explored. To this aim Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were employed to analyze nano powders filtered in environments of different paper mills to determine structural morphology and sizes. Large breathable particles, with size in the range from 4 μm to 250 nm have been sampled to evaluate the mean level of exposure. By comparing nanoparticles collected from paper mills in summer and in winter we revealed that the number of nanoparticles collected in winter is strictly related to heat generated by the heating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring cellulolytic secretome is a promising strategy to produce a cost-effective enzyme preparation for biorefinery of lignocellulosic waste. In this study, a fungal secretome from Talaromyces sp. BRG1 was produced with pretreated sugarcane bagasse (SCB) as the inductive substrate. Hydrolysis capacity of BRG1 secretome and commercial enzyme Cellic® Ctec2 were compared on SCB and then applied to paper pulp (PP). Normalised activity profile of cocktails based on filter paper unit activity (FPU) indicated that BRG1 secretome exhibited a higher endo-glucanase (CMCU, × 4.4) and endo-xylanase activities (EnXU, × 1.6) but lower avicelase (AVCU, /8.4) and cellobiase (CBU, /3.4) activities. Lignocellulolytic cocktails were examined on SCB as reference before applied on PP at 3% w/v solid loading in batch mode for 24 h. For both substrates and enzyme loading ratio (0.3 and 3.0 FPU/g cellulose), the glucose yield by BRG1 secretome was 2 times higher than Cellic® Ctec2. In-situ viscometry confirmed the quicker liquefaction efficiency of secretome over Ctec2. At 0.3 FPU/g cellulose, the suspension viscosity of PP collapsed completely after 12 h with BRG1 secretome whereas a limited reduction to 44% was observed with Ctec2. Ex-situ particle size distribution revealed a stronger reduction of coarse and fine particles with BRG1 secretome compared to Ctec2. • Production of a substrate-specific cellulolytic secretome from Talaromyces sp. BRG1. • Comparison of secretome efficiency by normalizing activities based on FPU. • Combining morphological, rheological, and biochemical methods to assess hydrolysis. • Observation of high hydrolysis and liquefaction rates at low enzyme loading. • Validation of BRG1 secretome with paper pulp and pretreated sugarcane bagasse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the anaerobic digestion of lignocellulosic materials such as waste paper, the accessibility of microorganisms to the fermentable sugars is restricted by their complex structure. A mechanical pretreatment with a Hollander beater was assessed in order to reduce the biomass particle size and to increase the feedstock’ specific surface area available to the microorganisms, and therefore improve the biogas yield. Pretreatment of paper waste for 60 min improves the methane yield by 21%, from a value of 210 ml/gVS corresponding to untreated paper waste to 254 ml/gVS. 30 min pretreatment have no significant effect on the methane yield. A response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effect of the beating time and feedstock/inoculum ratio on the methane yield. An optimum methane yield of 253 ml/gVS was achieved at 55 min of beating pretreatment and a F/I ratio of 0.3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral fillers are added during papermaking to improve the optical and printing properties of paper and decrease energy costs. Filler loading using conventional approaches has some disadvantages, such as reduction in paper strength. The finer filler, the more the strength loss. Several methods and materials have been reported to overcome or alleviate the same, but with higher costs. Our approach provides an economically viable solution to the problem, using conventional papermaking materials. Talc filler of different particle sizes, preflocculated using different doses of cooked amphoteric starch, were used for papermaking. Relatively higher filler retention, paper strength, and hydrophobicity of paper were obtained with preflocculated talc compared to native talc. The optical properties of paper were unchanged on the loading of similar talc after preflocculation. The preflocculated talc of finer particle size provided higher opacity at similar ash, as well as paper strength, than the native talc of coarser size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of dry surface treatment for paper coating applications has been available for more than ten years. Different from conventional coating methods such as extrusion coating and suspension coating, dry surface treatment involves a combined process of non-contact deposition of coating materials and surface smoothening of the coated paper. Pronounced features of this concept include avoidance of the need for paper drying and elimination of various negative consequences related to rewetting of the paper with water, etc. However, to date the concept has not been commercialized. Some significant challenges remain. Commercializable technologies for production of size-controllable coating particles and their electrostatic deposition onto paper are the key. Reconsidering this interesting concept may at a minimum shed light on the technological advancement in the area of pulp and paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the standard TAPPI gloss and microscale gloss of several commercial coated papers. The laboratory coated samples used in the study contain seven varieties of kaolin clays and four ground calcium carbonates with a wide variety of pigment morphology, particle size, and particle size distribution. In the study, the samples were calendared at different conditions. After the method, coated paper samples were found to have optically rough surfaces with Rayleigh parameter larger than one. The gloss of coated samples was tested with the use of a semi-empirical approach. The study suggests that gloss is predominantly governed by the surface texture paper despite large variations in the pigment size, morphology, and calendaring conditions.

Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) is a filler that is widely used for papermaking, and lime sludge is a special type of PCC recovered from the black liquor from kraft pulping. There has been some concern that lime sludge may interfere with the development of paper's hydrophobicity in comparison with commercial PCC and ground calcium carbonate (GCC) due to the presence of impurities when alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) is used as the sizing additive. In this work, fillers with different particle size distributions were prepared, and the effects of particle composition on surface chemistry of fillers, adsorption for AKD, sizing degree of final paper sheets, and retention behavior of fillers were evaluated. The results showed that, through matching different particle size distributions for lime sludge fillers, the negative zeta potential decreased from -26.2 mV to -20.8 mV, the specific surface area decreased from 15.0 m²/g to 9.1 m²/g, and total pore volume decreased from 0.037 cm³/g to 0.026 cm³/g, which was favorable for the low adsorption for AKD. Consequently the sizing effect of filled paper was improved. Moreover, the retention rate also was increased by changing the particle size distribution of lime sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Kaolinite was successfully intercalated by urea in a static and sealed condition at 95°C for 3.5h. The urea-intercalated kaolinite was applied for paper coating. The high shear rate rheologies were used to study the flowing properties of them and to stimulate the realistic coating paper at ultra high shear rate. The structure, morphology, chemical constitution, particle size distribution and rheological properties of the samples were measured by XRD, SEM, ICP-MS, particle size analyzer and by rheometer, respectively. The particle size of urea-intercalated kaolinite became finer with the growth of intercalation ratio. The rheological properties of slurries were changed from pseudo plastic behavior to complex flow and the solid content of slurries at the viscosity of 500mPa·s increased from 70.84 % to 74.09 % due to intercalation of urea. The urea-intercalated kaolinite improved slightly the properties of papers, while the better rheology could enhance the process of coating paper with ultra high speed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The optical properties of pigments used for paper coating are linked to their morphology. The light scattering through coated layers depends upon the size and the size distribution of the pigments and their packing behavior. In this report the effect of particle packing of various calcium carbonate pigments on the whiteness of the final coated paper is studied. Different grades of calcium carbonate pigments of different particle size distribution and optics were used for coating applications on base papers. Base papers of different optics were also selected. The entire study was carried out at different coat weights. It was observed that the overall scattering from the coated sheet depends upon the light scattering from the base paper as well as through the coated layer. Higher light scattering through the coated layer will lower the effect of the base paper, whether it is dark or bright. So high bright and white pigments are not only the criteria for an enhancement in the optical properties of coated paper; the particle size and size distribution should also be considered before introducing any pigment into a coating formulation. The base optics should also be chosen on the bases of the pigments' optics and their morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project investigated airborne particle releases derived from paper shredding. The characteristics of these emissions have not been studied previously. The objective of this project was to characterize released particles in terms of particle size distribution, particle mass and number concentration, particle morphology and chemical composition, as well as the structure of paper fibers. A significant amount of paper particles were found in the close vicinity of an unenclosed paper shredder during shredding and the manual manipulation of shredded paper. The particle release from shredding using two types of printer paper, two types of shredders, and various shredding frequencies was measured inside the shredder basket. The particles released from paper shredding were found to be in the nanometer to micrometer size ranges, and the particles contained calcium and other metal elements. Manual stirring of shredded paper released the highest particle concentration as measured at the opening of the container. Shredding with 30-s intervals increased the duration of airborne particle release as compared to intermittent shredding. Multiple quantitative analyses were employed to evaluate released particles at various particle size ranges. Two real-time instruments which measured thoracic (<10 μm) and respirable (<4 μm) particle sizes showed comparable concentrations measured inside and outside of the shredder basket. Copyright © 2017 American Association for Aerosol Research [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resource utilization of silicon is crucial to the sustainable reuse of the silicon-containing waste residues. In this study, a simple method to synthesize calcium silicate as paper filler with desirable particle size from the residues was proposed. Foil-shaped calcium silicate with the average particle size (APS) of about 10 μ m and the span of below 1.2 was successfully synthesized. Compared with larger calcium silicate, the obtained product used as paper filler could greatly improve the bulk of paper while maintaining similar tensile strength. The online focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) was used to investigate the hydration of CaO and the formation of calcium silicate. It was found that the hydration of CaO in NaOH solution with the presence of silicate played a key role in synthesizing the 10 μ m-sized calcium silicate. The formation of calcium silicate was speculated to be controlled by a liquid-liquid reaction. Unlabelled Image • Calcium silicate with desirable particle size distribution was synthesized. • The calcium silicate has remarkable advantages in using as paper filler. • Online FBRM was used to identify the synthesis of calcium silicate. • The hydration of CaO in NaOH solution containing silicate is important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new starch-based adhesive with high solid content, high binding force, and low viscosity was prepared via hydrolysis of cassava starch with α-amylase using glycerol as a plasticizer and Ammonium Zirconium Carbonate (AZC) as a crosslinker. The adhesive was applied to coated paper as a partial substitute for SBR latex. The effects of α-amylase, glycerol, AZC, and temperature on the starch adhesive and its performance in application were investigated. The prepared crosslinking cassava starch adhesive showed a significant effect when the starch slurry concentration was 50% (w/w), the dosages of glycerol and α-amylase were 15% and 0.075%, respectively, and the enzymolysis starch was crosslinked with 12% AZC at 50 °C. The modified starch improved the paper in terms of surface strength, gloss, whiteness, and smoothness when 20% SBR latex was substituted into the coating formulation. Statistical analysis indicated that the crosslinking temperature and AZC had significant effects on the performance of the paper, while glycerin and α-amylase had little effect on it. Spectral analysis of the product showed that the crosslinking reaction took place between AZC and cassava starch. The average particle size was 528.6 nm. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images of the paper surface were consistent with the other measured surface properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon black, a black material popular for use in electronic paper, could limit the performance of the electronic paper due to its non-uniform structure. Carbon spheres, with spherical shape and relatively narrow size distribution, are expected to overcome this limitation and substitute for carbon black in the electronic paper. Carbon spheres were synthesized through a hydrothermal reaction using glucose as a raw material. By controlling reaction time and glucose concentration, appropriate non-agglomerated carbon spheres with an average diameter of 202.26 (±26.15) nm were fabricated. To increase their dispersibility in dielectric fluid, p-(2-ethylhexyl acrylate) was grafted onto the surface of the carbon spheres. Then, acid and base charge control agents were mixed with the carbon spheres to produce a pigment with higher mobility in the dielectric fluid. The optimized combination of pigment, charge control agent and solvent reveals reasonably fast switching time of about 540 ms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A flotation process and two different heat treatment processes prior to pulping were investigated according to their ability to remove mineral oils. For flotation, a correlation between removal of mineral oils and inorganic particles could be found for all process chemicals used in this study. By optimization of chemical concentration and dosing sequence, up to 80% of mineral oils could be removed while keeping the total losses smaller than 15%. The heat treatment processes achieved mineral oil removal rates that were in some cases even higher than those for flotation. For these processes, the most important parameters appeared to be the specific energy applied, the temperature, and the particle size distribution of recovered paper components. However, the specific energy consumption was quite high. Application: This study shows the possibilities for removing mineral oil in recovered paper processing at laboratory scale. Besides conventional processes, treatments with hot air and steam were used with success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mine Water & the Environment is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The relationship between in-situ viscosimetry, in - and ex-situ morphogranulometry, and biochemistry has been investigated during enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated sugarcane bagasse (SCB, 3% w/v) and filter paper (FP, 1.5% w/v) at various enzyme dosages (0.3–25 FPU/g cellulose). Semi-dilute conditions (1.5–2 times higher than critical concentrations) were considered in order to generate non-Newtonian rheological behaviors and to avoid neglecting particle–particle interactions in opposition to dilute conditions. Observed phenomena as well as hydrolysis mechanisms including solvation, separation, fragmentation, and solubilization appeared to depend strongly on initial substrate properties. For both FP and SCB, suspension viscosities were correlated with particle size distributions and volume fractions during hydrolysis, but they exhibited strongly different trends. With SCB, a viscosity overtaking was clearly observed at enzyme loading ≤10 FPU/g cellulose. This phenomenon is explained by the separation of agglomerates into individual fragments, leading to an increase in the total number of particles and a morphological shift of particles from sphere-like into fiber-like. With FP, the viscosity collapsed at the initial stage in relation to the volume reduction of coarse particles and the number increase of fine particles. Suspension viscosity was strongly dependent on the fraction of coarse population and nearly independent from the glucose conversion yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanolime dispersions for the deacidification of ancient paper constitute a valid alternative to the lime traditional ones. Their efficacy depends on particles size, polydispersity and agglomeration that can be controlled depending on the preparation method. In this work, nanolime preparation by insolubilisation-precipitation method is reported. Nanoparticles dispersed in a water-isopropanol mixture were obtained without any manipulation of the dispersion. The stability of the dispersion together with particle size and morphology were found to be dependent on water to isopropanol molar ratio and on the synthesis temperature. One of the dispersion was applied on a manuscript to assess its efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste paper is often underutilized as a low-value recyclable resource and can be a potential source of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) due to its rich cellulose content. Three different processes, low acid treatment, alkali treatment and bleaching treatment, were used to pretreat the waste paper in order to investigate the effect of different pretreatments on the prepared CNFs, and CNFs obtained from bleached pulp boards were used as control. All sample fibers were successfully prepared into CNFs by 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidation. It was quite obvious that the bleached CNFs samples showed dense fibrous structures on a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while needle-like fibers with width less than 20 nm were observed on a transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Meanwhile, the bleaching treatment resulted in a 13.5% increase in crystallinity and a higher TEMPO yield (e.g., BCNF, 60.88%), but a decrease in thermal stability. All pretreated CNFs samples showed narrow particle size distribution, good dispersion stability (zeta potential less than −29.58 mV), good light transmission (higher than 86.5%) and low haze parameters (lower than 3.92%). This provides a good process option and pathway for scalable production of CNFs from waste papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influence of the thermal activation (600–750°C) of a clayey waste (art paper sludge, APS) and the replacement rate of cement by this pozzolan on technical parameters such as normal consistency water, setting time, soundness and compressive strength were investigated. Physical properties of raw materials such as particle size distribution and BET surface areas were also reported. The results have demonstrated that substitution of Portland cement CEM I 42.5 by activated art paper sludge (AAPS) increases normal consistency water and decreases the setting times and compressive strength of the blended cements, with increasing replacement rate, temperature and/or time of activation. However, if APS is properly activated at around 600–650°C for 2h, it is feasible to substitute a 10% of cement without adverse effects on technical properties, due to the pozzolanic activity of metakaolinite and set regulator features of calcite, the two major mineral phases present in AAPS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of emerging concern in food and the food supply chain because they may cause adverse effects to human health. Furthermore, food contact material (FCM) may introduce a huge amount of different MPs into food in the process of using. Micro-Raman spectroscopy is a widely used qualitative technology for MPs determination and analysis due to its high resolution (down to 1 μm). In this study, five brands of plastic (polyethylene, PE)-coated paper cups from different manufacturers were collected and the scenario of using them to drink hot water was simulated, and the water extracts were tested by micro-Raman spectroscopy for MPs determination. Optical images and Raman spectra of particles detected were collected, while their concentration in water extract and size distribution were summarised. The average concentration of MPs found in water extracts from 5 paper cups is 12.93 ± 11.69 × 105 item/L, with particle sizes between 1 and 60 μm (in length). Three types of microplastic particles were characterised by Raman spectra based on polymer spectral library, which are PE, polyamide (PA) and uncertain MP. The morphology of PE films before and after exposure to hot water were observed by SEM imaging. The results indicated the inner coating of virgin film of plastic-coated paper cups had a high surface roughness, which lead to breakages and peeling that produced microplastic particles when exposure to hot water. [Display omitted] • MPs released from PE-coated paper cup into hot water extracts were detected. • Qualitative analysis of MPs by micro-Raman Spectroscopy. • Particle size distribution of different types of MPs were determined. • Surface roughness of virgin plastic film can be a reason for MPs release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novelty of the work lies in the design and development of a significantly low-cost lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ink similar in its electrical properties to its original solid materials, which can be used for 3-D printing to print electronic circuits, shape memory, and devices quickly. The Zr/Ti=52/48 ratio was achieved during the solid-state reaction to create the PZT powder. XRD, FT-IR, and SEM characterized the synthesized material. The PZT powder was found to form in a tetragonal phase. The PZT powder was used to prepare PZT ink with a 13 % Wt/Wt solid content composition. The ink's rheological characteristics and physical properties, such as particle size distribution, surface tension, viscosity, and electrical properties, were studied. Dielectric properties like dielectric constant (ε/) and dielectric loss (ε") indicate the poly-dispersive nature of the material. The temperature-dependent dielectric constant (ε/) curve indicates relaxor behavior with a maximum at high temperatures. The poly-dispersive nature of the material was analyzed using Cole-Cole plots. The frequency dependence of AC conductivity follows the universal power law. The temperature dependence of dc-conductivity follows the Arrhenius law, with an activation energy of 0.14 eV at lower temperatures and 0.85 eV at higher temperatures. The electrical conductance study showed that PZT ceramic can be used in electronic circuits because of its high resistivity value and small temperature coefficient of resistance. The piezoelectric measurement displays d33 as 129 pC/N at room temperature. • Preparation of PbZrTiO 3 using solid state reaction. • Using XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and particle size distribution to assure the PbZrTiO 3 ink. • The piezoelectric ink was tested in both AC and DC. • The piezoelectric ink show activation energy of 0.14 eV at low temperature. • The prepared ink is tested till 500 ᴼC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, milled corncob powder was treated with sodium chlorite to remove lignin, and the resulting holocellulose was optionally modified with cationic agent. The derivative product was investigated using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influences of the dosage of the cationic agent, reaction temperature, particle size, dosage of paper strengthening agent, and pH value of the pulp on the paper physical properties were studied. The results indicated that cationic corncob holocellulose can improve the tensile index, burst index, and folding endurance of paper. When the dosage of cationic agent was 25% and the reaction temperature was set to 70℃, the resulting tensile index, burst index, and folding endurance increased by 7.15%, 13.74%, and 55.95%, respectively, when compared with the control paper. The particle size of the raw material and the dosage of strengthening agent also greatly influenced the paper's properties. The SEM analysis showed that the combination of fibers improved the strength properties of the paper after adding the strengthening agent. These results provide a method for value-added use of corncob waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the properties of insulation boards made from bamboo paper sludge and fly ash floating beads. An orthogonal test design was applied to study the effects of certain factors on the properties of the insulation boards. The results indicated that the sequence of significant effect of factors on the properties of the composite boards was particle size of bamboo paper sludge, thickness of boards, and weight ratio of sludge to fly ash floating beads. The verified optimal conditions were confirmed to be 20 to 40 mesh, 80:20, and 14 mm, representing the particle size of bamboo paper sludge, weight ratio of sludge:fly ash floating beads, and thickness of boards, respectively. The thermal conductivity of the bamboo paper sludge and fly ash floating beads insulation boards was measured and suggested that both insulation boards had thermal conductivity values ranging from 0.12 to 0.165 W/mK, which is close to the conventional insulation material lightweight concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostarch has a small particle size and large surface area compared with traditional modified starch. In this study, nanostarch was prepared by dual screw extrusion and was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The nanostarch was studied as a coating adhesive in surface coating of lightweight coated paper. The crystallinity of nanostarch granules was decreased by dual screw extrusion, and its average particle size was about 100 nm. The results showed that for the paper coating formula of styrene butadiene latex and an ordinary oxidized coating starch ratio of 9:5, all ordinary oxidized coating starch and part of the styrene butadiene latex can be replaced by nanostarch. When 5 parts of ordinary oxidized coating starch and 4 parts of styrene butadiene latex were replaced by 6.5 parts nanostarch, the water retention property of nanostarch coating was increased by 64.0%, and its viscosity was decreased by 11.0%. The IGT printing surface strength of lightweight coated paper by the nanostarch coating was increased by 11.6%, and the glossiness of coated paper was increased by 7.2%. These results show that nanostarch surface coatings have good prospects for application in papermaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses disc disperser which is used to remove and comminute ink in paper recycling operations. Disperser operation and dispersion efficiency were both studied using the specific energy and specific edge load (SEL) and ink particle size distribution and the equivalent black area (EBA) of treated pulp sheets. Results indicated that at higher consistencies, particle comminution was most efficient. The range of gap widths between pyramidal plates resulted to less efficient comminution of the particles.

In this paper, the filtration process of FMEE prepared by calcium catalyst was studied. The viscosity of FMEE at different temperatures and gelation phase region of FMEE were measured, and the effects of sorbent type, dosage of adsorbent, types of filter aids, amount of filter aid and number of filter paper on the filtration effect were investigated. The optimal process was confirmed by filtration time, pH after filtration, particle size distribution and calcium ion content. The results show that FMEE has gel phase, which is serious with the mass fraction of 50%±5% at 20 °C. When the mass fraction is 80%, the viscosity of FMEE decreases with the temperature increase, and the inflection point is at 70 °C. When the adsorbent is citric acid and the mass fraction in the solution is 0.1%, the adsorption effect is better. When diatomite is used as the filter aid and the mass fraction in the solution is 0.2%, the filtration effect is the best. When the mesh number of filter paper is 500, the primary filtration yield reaches the maximum. Under the optimized process conditions, a clear and transparent solution with calcium ion content less than 10 mg/kg can be obtained, and the turbidity of filtrate can be less than 1 NTU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Urea intercalation compounds were produced in a new designed industrial scale. The conditions and locations of the new industrial process for the production of urea intercalation compound pigment were studied through the control of correlative parameters. Properties of the compound pigment such as particle morphology, particle size distribution and viscosity, were analyzed to evaluate its potentiality for paper coating application. Results showed that the intercalation ratio of urea intercalation compound increased from 6.3% with 2 wt.% of urea addition to 56.08% with 6 wt.% of urea addition. Viscosity concentration of urea intercalation compound improved from 69% of original kaolinite to the highest value, 74.23% of the compound. Particle size distribution was centralized. Properties of light weight papers coated with urea intercalation compound showed interesting results, similar to a standard grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface properties of paper depend not only on the fibrous matrix but also on the final treatment of the paper surface. The present work compares paper samples with two different surface sizing treatments by using AFM and profilometry to assess topography and roughness parameters as well as to evaluate the spreading of the sizing formulation and to estimate sizing agent particle sizes. The results were confronted with dynamic light scattering measurements regarding particle size. This work shows that AFM is a valuable technique to visualize and quantify the effects of sizing on the paper surface. Due to the small amount of surface sizing applied, no significant differences between the surface sized samples and the reference sample (without surface treatment) could be detected in terms of the surface roughness parameters. Nonetheless, those of sample B1 are systematically smaller than those of sample A1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobic noncrystalline porous starch (NCPS) containing microporous and amorphous structures was prepared from native corn starch via heat treatment, solvent exchange, and alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) modification. Then, antibacterial packaging was produced by combining silver nanoparticles with the hydrophobic NCPS (hydrophobic NCPS/Ag) and employing this biobased coating as a layer on the base paper. The antibacterial activity, strength, and barrier properties of the hydrophobic NCPS/Ag-coated paper were measured. In addition, the fine porous surface of NCPS, the distribution of the silver nanoparticles in hydrophobic NCPS as well as the network structure of uncoated paper and coated paper were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the hydrophobicity of the corn starch, hydrophobic NCPS, uncoated paper, and coated paper were determined using water contact angles. The silver nanoparticles had a positive effect on the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The air permeability, oil resistance, water vapor transmission rate, water absorption, whiteness, tensile strength, and burst strength improved compared to the uncoated paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] WPU surface sizing agents are synthesized with IPDI, PCL, DMPA and EDA. [•] Viscosity increases as NCO/OH molar ratio or DMPA content increases. [•] Particle size increases with NCO/OH molar ratio but decreases with DMPA content. [•] WPU emulsions show different properties as the chemicals-adding sequence varies. [•] The sized papers have much better physical properties than the unsized ones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] WPU emulsions as surface sizing agents are synthesized with TDI and IPDI. [•] Particle size increases as the NCO/OH and TDI/IPDI molar ratio increase. [•] Viscosity increases as the NCO/OH molar ratio and DMPA content increase. [•] Water resistance increases as the NCO/OH and TDI/IPDI molar ratio increase. [•] The sized papers have much better mechanical properties than the unsized ones. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]