Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) 2007 International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry, June 13-15, 2007, Knoxville, TN  Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) for Papermaking Yong Zou, and Jeffery S. Hsieh School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0100

Typical properties of the three pulps Sample CS Freeness (ml) Brightness (%) Bulk (cm3/g) pH Bleached Softwood 500 90.4 1.45 6.9 Bleached Hardwood 90.7 1.64 BCTMP-softwood 422 69.4 3.51

MFC-Lyocell Microfibrillated Fiber

Process for Papermaking The MFC from Engineered Fibers technology, LLC. was dispersed into 1.65% solution Some of the MFC were refined by Hollander beater equipment 6% the MFC or refined MFC was added into 3% consistence pulp, and stirred and mixed together Handsheets were produced by the stand TAPPI process-TAPPI T205sp-95 as well

The effect of refining process on the MFC’s properties Sample Charge pH Concentration Freeness (ml) MFC -0.20 6.45 0.30 189.4 3hrs-refinery -0.70 6.72 32.6 6 hrs -refinery -0.73 6.87 0.29 30.7

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day) Bleached softwood Control 7.2 148.2 358.6 MFC (6%) 9.1 186.5 374.7 Δ (%) +26.4 +25.8 +4.5

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day) Bleached hardwood Control 5.5 159.5 335.2 MFC (6%) 5.8 208.1 377.3 Δ (%) +5.5 +30.5 +12.6

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day) BCTMP-softwood Control 4.1 163.6 408.1 MFC (6%) 5.3 176.0 424.1 Δ (%) +29.3 +7.6 +3.9

The effect of Microfibrillated Cellulose on Paper Properties Sample Tensile (Kg) Cobb (30 min.) (g/m2) MVTR (g/M2.day) Bleached softwood Control 7.2 148.2 358.6 MFC (6%) 9.1 186.5 374.7 3hrs refining MFC (6%) 10.1 205.1 376.6 6hrs refining MFC (6%) 10.2 205.2 388.8

Conclusions MFC can improve the tensile strength, water absorption capacity-Cobb value and vapor transfer ability (MVTR) of paper, which was made from hardwood and softwood fiber, especially tensile from softwood increased ~26-30%, vapor transfer ability-MVTR from hardwood improved ~12%; water absorption capacity improved ~8-30% Refining process can further improve MFC’s efficiency, particularly for tensile and water absorption ability increased ~10%. However, the efficiency of refining process is limit. It therefore should design and develop some new processes to improve MFC’s efficiency.