Abstract
The effects of xylanase treatment on the fiber surface properties of high yield pulp (chemithermomechanical pulp, alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp, and bleached chemithermomechanical pulp) were studied. Fibers surface composition and surface structure were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The former demonstrated an increase in the atomic oxygen to carbon ratio, a decrease in the lignin content, and variation in the C1s on the fiber surface of enzymatically treated samples. An enrichment of a large proportion of open and fibrillated fibers was visualized by the latter, resulting in an improvement in the pulp’s physical strength-related properties. Surface modification using enzymatic treatments allow for improved fiber surface properties to obtain new products through sustainable technologies.
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