Use of modified lignocellulosic fillers to improve paper properties

Abstract

Lignocellulosic fillers able to displace inorganic fillers were made by the addition of cationic polymers using a hybridization method. First, pulpwood residues were pulverized to make fine lignocellulosic particles passing through a 200 mesh screen. The organic particles were bleached to improve their brightness, and dyed to enhance their optical properties with fluorescent whitening dye. In laboratory hand-sheets these lignocellulosic fillers were found to improve bulk and optical properties, including the brightness, whiteness and opacity, with less impact on strength properties than precipitated Calcium carbonate.