Surface Characterization of Plasma-treated Eucalyptus Alkaline Peroxide Mechanical Pulp using Electronic Spectroscopy Chemical Analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy

Abstract

Eucalyptus alkaline peroxide mechanical pulp (APMP) fibers were modified by a low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment within an air and oxygen mixture. An atomic force microscope (AFM) and electronic spectroscopy chemical analysis (ESCA) were used to analyze the morphological and chemical information of eucalyptus APMP fibers. According to the AFM results, LTP treatment etched the fibers’ surface, allowing for the removal of hydrophobic substances from the surface. According to the ESCA, the oxygen to carbon ratio of the APMP fiber surface increased from 50.08% to 55.47%, and the C1 peak area decreased from 8.89% to 8.45% after a LTP treatment. All of these results indicate that a LTP treatment can modify the APMP fibers and reduce the contents of lignin and extractives, thus exposing more carbohydrate.