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The aim of this investigation was to determine the role of negative direct current and alternating current (plasma) corona treatments in modification of bio-based dispersion barrier coatings and the response of replacing fossil-based binder with a thermoplastic bio-based binder (starch). The study emphasizes the importance of understanding and optimizing electric corona discharge in order to obtain high oxidation level without harming the substrate and causing unintentional treatment of the reverse side. The coatings were exposed to different corona treatment conditions using a novel developed sheet-fed laboratory-scale device. Corona-induced topographical, mechanical and surface chemical changes were observed from atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and contact angle and surface energy measurements. XPS results indicated further that partial starch decomposition occurred after plasma treatment. Coated surfaces became substantially smoother after both treatments suggesting that nanoparticle migration and re-orientation effects occurred. Additionally, reverse side effects and strike through were also discussed., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mechanisms of inkjet ink spreading and absorption on a coated paper have been studied using a polyelectrolyte multilayering technique. By applying alternating sequences of cationic and anionic polyelectrolyte layers on a mineral coated paper, the role of the interfacial chemistry was evaluated. The polyelectrolyte multilayer was created to imitate a thin resin-like liquid-absorptive layer and to clarify the role of the charge of the protruding polyelectrolyte layer on ink spreading and colorant fixation. The formation of a thin polyelectrolyte layer and coating coverage was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A submolecular mechanical imaging of the polyelectrolyte complexes with an atomic force microscope (AFM) revealed differences in modulus and different nanosize agglomerates were identified which were ascribed to polyion complexes. The polyelectrolyte coatings significantly affect the solid-liquid interaction and particularly the ink spreading revealed as intercolor bleeding and wicking. The interfacial interaction between the ink and the applied polyelectrolyte layers showed differences between dye- and pigment-based colorants, which could be emphasized by the polyelectrolyte chemistry., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The flocculation performance of cationic starches on calcite pretreated with anionic sodium polyacrylate (NaPA) was investigated by measuring the mean particle size and the dynamic mobility of the calcite dispersions. Cationic starches of different molecular weight and degree of substitution were used. By varying the amount of anionic sodium polyacrylate, which has a strong affinity to the calcium carbonate surface, one is able to anionically modify the particles and reverse the charge character of the originally cationic calcium carbonate. By such modification of the charge character of the calcium carbonate dispersion, it is possible to approach the mechanisms of flocculation caused by cationic macromolecules like starch. The importance of different mechanisms of flocculation, such as bridging, charge neutralization, and flocculation induced by polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC), was further investigated in this work. It was found that when the NaPA is completely absorbed at the calcite surfaces the mechanism of the flocculation induced by the starch is mainly bridging flocculation. Excess NaPA in the calcium carbonate dispersion will result in polyelectrolyte complexes formed between the non-absorbed NaPA and the oppositely charged starch polymers. These complexes will in most cases strongly enhance the flocculation due to mainly charge neutralization. Depending on the ratio of non-absorbed NaPA and the starch in the aqueous phase, the calcite dispersion is either re-stabilized or more strongly flocculated due to the formed polyelectrolyte complexes. Both the mobility and the particle size measurements support the mechanisms described. It was further demonstrated that the molecular weight and degree of substitution of the starches might be adjusted to control the flocculation behavior.

The role of stabilizing agents in the interaction between styrene/butadiene latex and calcium carbonate particles has been studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and an electrokinetic sonic amplitude (ESA) technique. It is demonstrated that the polyacrylate sodium salt (dispersing agent, referred to as NaPA) used as stabilizing agent for the calcium carbonate suspensions principally affects the interfacial properties of the calcite surface. An electrostatic barrier is created and this decreases the attractive interactions between the latex and the negatively charged mineral surface. The total enthalpy change observed when an emulsion of styrene/butadiene particles substantially free from surfactant was added to the dispersed calcium carbonate could be described via a relatively complex path. The process included (i) an exothermic response from the association of the latex particles (adsorption process) with the dispersed calcium carbonate surface and (ii) an endothermic bulk phase effect due to the adsorption on the latex particles of dissolved species originating from the calcium carbonate. Stabilization of the latex particles with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) or a non-ionic fatty alcohol ethoxylate surfactant did not significantly change the enthalpy of interaction. It was further demonstrated that SDBS had a very weak affinity for the dispersed calcium carbonate particles and that dissolution of species, such as calcium ions, from the calcium carbonate surface, allows further adsorption of SDBS onto the latex particles.

The mechanisms of adsorption and association for sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) in calcium carbonate suspensions have been determined from isothermal calorimetry and adsorption measurements. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms were determined by two different methods of separation; a depletion method and a serum exchange method. The enthalpy of dilution for NaCMC was determined on supernatants obtained from the calcium carbonate suspensions in order to investigate the interaction between NaCMC and dissolved species from the mineral. For comparison, NaCMC was injected into CaCl(2) solutions in order to determine the role of calcium ions in the adsorption process. The initial part of the adsorption isotherm showed a quasi-infinite slope indicating a high affinity for the NaCMC to the calcium carbonate surface, which was significantly reduced when anionic sodium polyacrylate was preadsorbed onto the calcium carbonate implying competitive adsorption. An endothermic enthalpy change was observed between the NaCMC and the calcium carbonate surface, suggesting attachment of the carboxylic acid groups onto the hydrated calcium sites. A similar endothermic enthalpy was observed when NaCMC was injected into CaCl(2) solutions or supernatants obtained from the calcium carbonate suspensions, indicating a complexation of carboxylic acid groups and hydrated calcium ions. It was concluded that the mechanisms of interaction of NaCMC in calcium carbonate suspensions are primarily an association between NaCMC and Lewis acid sites on the calcium carbonate surface and the formation of NaCMC-Ca(2+) complexes in the bulk solution, both of which will be affected by the amount of anionic sodium polyacrylate present.