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For any type of pulping process, the chemical composition of raw materials is the determining factor of pulping yield, while fiber dimensions establish the pulp strength and dictate its final use. In this study, an attempt was made to present the chemical and morphological characteristics of Brassica napus stalk fibers. The chemical compositions of raw material and Kraft-delignified fibers were analyzed for the macromolecular substances content (cellulose, hemicelluloses, pentosans, and lignin) and low- molecular-weight components (extractives, soluble, inorganic). With regard to morphology features, such as fiber length, width, and wall thickness of pulp, samples were measured using digital microscope system and scanning electron microscope. It is concluded that the properties of rapeseed stalk fibers, which are commonly encountered in other nonwood and hardwood papermaking fibers, have the potential for being used for manufacturing different paper products.

In this work a new simple method to improve the bulk properties of paper is presented. Co-polymerization of vinyl functionalised zirconia oxoclusters with vinyl trimethoxysilane was carried out onto paper. The coating process was evaluated also taking into account the specific weight of hybrid polymer left on the paper after one or two deposition steps, and with or without a thermal treatment of curing. The effectiveness of the coating process in consolidating and protecting paper was investigated by measurements with High Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dynamical Mechanical Spectroscopy, tensile testing, contact angle, along with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy. The coating process does not affect the morphology and appearance of the paper, but modifies its mechanical, surface and thermal properties.

Here we describe the step-wise grafting of the fluorophore dansyl chloride on the interlayer aluminol groups of kaolinite. The modified clay was characterized by powder RD, TGA, FT-IR and (27)Al, (19)Si, (13)C MAS-NMR, which confirmed the achievement of the clay functionalization. The photophysical properties of the resulting nanohybrid material were evaluated by photoluminescence excitation and emission measurements.