Abstract
The hemicellulose content of cellulosic material from poplar chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) was controlled by a microwave-assisted formic acid (MFA) extraction process. The environmentally friendly, self-bonded, and cellulose-rich fiber sheets (around 0.3 mm thick and 280 g/m2 grammage) were fabricated via a molding and compression process. The results showed that the MFA treatment effectively controlled the hemicellulose content in the range from 6.8% to 20.4%. Mechanical testing results showed a good linear relationship between the tensile strength and the hemicellulose content, where a higher hemicellulose content obtained a stronger tensile strength. Meanwhile, as hemicellulose content decreased, the onset temperature, representing the thermal stability, increased from 318.1 °C to 335.7 °C and the elastic modulus, representing the mechanical stiffness, increased from 0.047 MPa to 0.068 MPa. Additionally, as the hemicellulose content decreased, the water-resistance of the cellulose-rich fiber sheets improved. During the hemicellulose removal process, the strength of single fibers was found to have a dominant role in the mechanical strength of the cellulose-rich fiber sheets, rather than the inter-fiber bonding strength. This was contrary to research on the delignification process, where the inter-fiber bonding strength was found to be more important than the strength of single fibers in deciding the material strength.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.