Stagnation Point Adsorption Reflectometry Research Articles

Layer-by-layer assembly of sustainable lignin-based coatings for food packaging applications

Packaging plays a critical role in ensuring food safety and shelf life by protecting against e.g., moisture, gases, and light. Polyethylene (PE) is widely used in food packaging, but it is mainly produced from non-renewable resources and it is an inefficient oxygen and light barrier. In this study, the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of a sustainably produced lignin-based polymer (EH) with polyethylenimine (PEI) or chitosan (CH) was used to fabricate (partially or fully) bio-based coatings with the aim of improving barrier properties of PE films. The charge density of EH was calculated using a polyelectrolyte titration method and the hydrodynamic diameters of EH, PEI and CH were determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). LbL assembly was monitored in situ via Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) and Stagnation Point Adsorption Reflectometry (SPAR). PE films were coated with a variable number of PEI/EH or CH/EH bilayers (BL) using an immersive LbL assembly method. Coated films were studied in terms of light-blocking ability, wettability, thermal behaviour, surface structure, as well as oxygen and water vapor barrier properties. QCM-D and SPAR data showed a stepwise multilayer formation and strong interactions between the oppositely charged polymers, with PEI/EH coating having a greater amount of deposited polymer compared to CH/EH coating at the same number of BL. Overall, light barrier properties and wettability of the coated films increased with the number of deposited bilayers. Coated PE films maintained the overall thermal behaviour of PE. A number of BL of 20 was found to be the most promising based on the studied properties. Selected samples showed improved oxygen and water vapor barrier properties, with PEI/EH coating performing better than CH/EH coating. Taken altogether, we demonstrated that a novel and sustainable lignin-based polymer can be combined with PEI or CH to fabricate (partially or fully) bio-based coatings for food packaging.

Nanolatex architectonics: Influence of cationic charge density and size on their adsorption onto surfaces with a 2D or 3D distribution of anionic groups

HypothesisIt is theoretically predicted and hypothesized that the charge density and size of spherical nanoparticles are the key factors for their adsorption onto oppositely charged surfaces. It is also hypothesized that the morphology and charge of the surface are of great importance. In-plane 2D (silica) or a volumetric 3D (regenerated TEMPO-oxidized cellulose model surfaces) distribution of charged groups is expected to influence charge compensation and, thus, the adsorption behavior. ExperimentsIn this work, self-stabilized nanolatexes with a range of cationic charge densities and sizes were synthesized through reversible addition − fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization coupled with polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA). Their adsorption onto silica and anionic cellulose model surfaces was investigated using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). FindingsExperiments and theory agree and show that the size of the nanolatex and the difference in charge density compared to the substrate determine the charge compensation and, thus, the surface coverage. Highly charged or large nanolatexes overcompensate the surface charge of non-porous substrates leading to a significant repulsive zone where other particles cannot adsorb. For porous substrates like cellulose, the vertical distribution of charged groups in the 3D volume prevents overcompensation and thus increases the adsorption. This systematic study investigates the isolated effect of surface charge and size and paves the way for on-demand particles specifically designed for a surface with particular characteristics.

Functional Lignin Nanoparticles with Tunable Size and Surface Properties: Fabrication, Characterization, and Use in Layer-by-Layer Assembly.

Lignin is the richest source of renewable aromatics and has immense potential for replacing synthetic chemicals. The limited functionality of lignin is, however, challenging for its potential use, which motivates research for creating advanced functional lignin-derived materials. Here, we present an aqueous-based acid precipitation method for preparing functional lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) from carboxymethylated or carboxypentylated lignin. We observe that the longer grafted side chains of carboxypentylated lignin allow for the formation of larger LNPs. The functional nanoparticles have high tolerance against salt and aging time and well-controlled size distribution with Rh ≤ 60 nm over a pH range of 5-11. We further investigate the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of the LNPs and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) using a stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). Results demonstrate that LNPs made of carboxypentylated lignin (i.e., PLNPs with the adsorbed mass of 3.02 mg/m2) form a more packed and thicker adlayer onto the PAH surface compared to those made of carboxymethylated lignin (i.e., CLNPs with the adsorbed mass of 2.51 mg/m2). The theoretical flux, J, and initial rate of adsorption, (dΓ/dt)0, analyses confirm that 22% of PLNPs and 20% of CLNPs arriving at the PAH surface are adsorbed. The present study provides a feasible platform for engineering LNPs with a tunable size and adsorption behavior, which can be adapted in bionanomaterial production.

Deposition behavior of lignin on solid surfaces assessed by stagnation point adsorption reflectometry

The deposition behavior of lignin on a solid surface was studied using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) comprehensively. In this study, the light absorption coefficient of lignin (τ = 20 476 m−1) at 633 nm wavelength was considered to define a new imaginary refractive index (k) used in the SPAR technique for adsorption analysis. The inclusion of k in the adsorption model yielded an adsorbed amount (Γ) of 1.11 mg m−2, leading to the quality factor (Qf) of 31.71 mg m−2. At a lower concentration, the deposition of lignin on the surface was increased, and it generated a maximum sticking coefficient of β = 0.71 at 25 mg L−1 on the surface. At the concentration range of 35 and 45 mg L−1, lignin formed clusters and its deposition dropped. The use of Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and SPAR techniques also confirmed that the proportion of water in the deposited lignin adlayer was greater when a lower concentration (5–25 mg L−1) of lignin solution was used for adsorption. The findings of this study revealed the potential use of the SPAR technique for evaluating the deposition performance of lignin-based materials on varied surfaces, which would facilitate the development of coating and composite applications for lignin.

Influence of Surface Charge Density and Morphology on the Formation of Polyelectrolyte Multilayers on Smooth Charged Cellulose Surfaces.

To clarify the importance of the surface charge for the formation of polyelectrolyte multilayers, layer-by-layer (LbL) assemblies of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (pDADMAC) and polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) have been investigated on cellulose films with different carboxylic acid contents (20, 350, 870, and 1200 μmol/g) regenerated from oxidized cellulose. The wet cellulose films were thoroughly characterized prior to multilayer deposition using quantitative nanomechanical mapping (QNM), which showed that the mechanical properties were greatly affected by the degree of oxidation of the cellulose. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) force measurements were used to determine the surface potential of the cellulose films by fitting the force data to the DLVO theory. With the exception of the 1200 μmol/g film, the force measurements showed a second-order polynomial increase in surface potential with increasing degree of oxidation. The low surface potential for the 1200 μmol/g film was attributed to the low degree of regeneration of the cellulose film in aqueous media due to increasing solubility with increasing charge. The multilayer formation was characterized using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and stagnation-point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR). Extensive deswelling was observed for the charged films when pDADMAC was adsorbed due to the reduced osmotic pressure when ions inside the film were released, and the 1:1 charge compensation showed that all the charges in the films were reached by the pDADMAC. The multilayer formation was not significantly affected by the charge density above 350 μmol/g due to interlayer repulsions, but it was strongly affected by the salt concentration during the layer build-up.

Overshoots of adsorption kinetics during layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte film growth: Role of counterions

Layer-by-layer adsorption of polycation poly(trimethylammonium ethyl methacrylate chloride) (MADQUAT) and polyanion poly(acrylic acid, sodium salt) (PAA) on silicon oxide substrates was studied in order to understand non-regular multilayer buildup. Indeed during MADQUAT adsorption, a special variation in the signal, called overshoots, was monitored with stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR). These overshoots were observed under different experimental conditions (pH, polymer concentration, salt concentration and molecular weight variations). A method called “substrate thickness method” was applied to determine the thickness, the refractive index and the adsorbed amount variation during the overshoot. Results clearly showed a decrease in the adsorbed amounts, but which does not necessarily indicate dissolution of the adsorbed multilayer. Therefore we also investigated layer-by-layer adsorption on colloidal silica particles (SiO2) under the same conditions as those in reflectometry. Indeed the high specific surface area of particles allowed titration of chloride ions and unadsorbed polymer in the bulk during the adsorption process. An increase in chloride ions concentration with no increase in the polymer concentration was observed. Accordingly, overshoots in cases of MADQUAT/PAA multilayer are not due to desorption of cationic polyelectrolyte but to desorption of chloride ions from the adsorbed multilayer film.

Surface-Induced Rearrangement of Polyelectrolyte Complexes: Influence of Complex Composition on Adsorbed Layer Properties

The adsorption characteristics of two different types of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs), prepared by mixing poly(allylamine hydrochloride) and poly(acrylic acid) in a confined impinging jet (CIJ) mixer, have been investigated with the aid of stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR), a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) using SiO(2) surfaces. The two sets of PEC were prepared by combining high molecular mass PAH/PAA (PEC-A) and low molecular mass PAH/PAA (PEC-B). The PEC-A showed a higher adsorption to the SiO(2) surfaces than the PEC-B. The adsorption of the PEC-A also showed a larger change in the dissipation (ΔD), according to the QCM-D measurements, suggesting that the adsorbed layer of these complexes had a relatively lower viscosity and a lower shear modulus. Complementary investigations of the adsorbed layer using AFM imaging showed that the adsorbed layer of PEC-A was significantly different from that of PEC-B and that the changes in properties with adsorption time were very different for the two types of PECs. The PEC-A complexes showed a coalescence into larger block of complexes on the SiO(2) surface, but this was not detected with the PEC-B. The size determinations of the complexes in solution showed that they were very stable over time, and it was therefore concluded that the coalescence of the complexes was induced by the interaction between the complexes and the surface. The results also indicated that polyelectrolytes can migrate between the different complexes adsorbed to the surface. The results also give indications that the preparation of PEC-B leads to the formation of two different types of polyelectrolyte complexes differing in the amount of polymer in the complexes; i.e., two populations of complexes were formed with similar sizes but with totally different adsorption structures at the solid-liquid interface.

Self-Organized Films from Cellulose I Nanofibrils Using the Layer-by-Layer Technique

The possibility of forming self-organized films using only charge-stabilized dispersions of cellulose I nanofibrils with opposite charges is presented, that is, the multilayers were composed solely of anionically and cationically modified microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) with a low degree of substitution. The build-up behavior and the properties of the layer-by-layer (LbL)-constructed films were studied using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) and stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR). The adsorption behavior of cationic/anionic MFC was compared with that of polyethyleneimine (PEI)/anionic MFC. The water contents of five bilayers of cationic/anionic MFC and PEI/anionic MFC were approximately 70 and 50%, respectively. The MFC surface coverage was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements, which clearly showed a more dense fibrillar structure in the five bilayer PEI/anionic MFC than in the five bilayer cationic/anionic MFC. The forces between the cellulose-based multilayers were examined using the AFM colloidal probe technique. The forces on approach were characterized by a combination of electrostatic and steric repulsion. The wet adhesive forces were very long-range and were characterized by multiple adhesive events. Surfaces covered by PEI/anionic MFC multilayers required more energy to be separated than surfaces covered by cationic/anionic MFC multilayers.

Polyelectrolyte Multilayers from Cationic and Anionic Starch: Influence of Charge Density and Salt Concentration on the Properties of the Adsorbed Layers

AbstractThe purpose of the present work was for identify limits for the formation of stable polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) from cationic and anionic starches (with degrees of substitution of 0.04–0.09) on SiO2 surfaces, taking account of the effect of the charge density of the starches and the salt concentration in the surrounding water phase. The experiments were performed at a pH of 6.3 using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM‐D). From these experiments it was concluded that it is possible to form PEMs by the adsorption of oppositely charged starches on SiO2 surfaces; it was also found that adsorption of the first layer is controlled both by electrostatic, non‐ionic interactions and by pure steric restrictions, i.e. geometrical restrictions, at the surface. The results also indicate that the charge density of the starch must exceed a certain value to allow multilayer formation and that this critical charge density increases with increasing salt concentration. The combination of charge densities of the cationic/anionic starches was also found to influence the adsorption behaviour, and the formed polyelectrolyte multilayers had a high water content of 69–92%.

Adsorption Behavior and Adhesive Properties of Biopolyelectrolyte Multilayers Formed from Cationic and Anionic Starch

Cationic starch (D.S. 0.065) and anionic starch (D.S. 0.037) were used to form biopolyelectrolyte multilayers. The influence of the solution concentration of NaCl on the adsorption of starch onto silicon oxide substrates and on the formation of multilayers was investigated using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D). The wet adhesive properties of the starch multilayers were examined by measuring pull-off forces with the AFM colloidal probe technique. It was shown that polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) can be successfully constructed from cationic starch and anionic starch at electrolyte concentrations of 1 mM NaCl and 10 mM NaCl. The water content of the PEMs was approximately 80% at both electrolyte concentrations. However, the thickness of the PEMs formed at 10 mM NaCl was approximately twice the thickness formed at 1 mM NaCl. The viscoelastic properties of the starch PEMs, modeled as Voigt elements, were dependent on the polyelectrolyte that was adsorbed in the outermost layer. The PEMs appeared to be more rigid when capped by anionic starch than when capped by cationic starch. The wet adhesive pull-off forces increased with layer number and were also dependent on the polyelectrolyte adsorbed in the outermost layer. Thus, starch PEM treatment has a large potential for increasing the adhesive interaction between solid substrates to levels higher than can be reached by a single layer of cationic starch.

Polyelectrolyte Adsorption on Thin Cellulose Films Studied with Reflectometry and Quartz Crystal Microgravimetry with Dissipation

Thin cellulose films were prepared by dissolving carboxymethylated cellulose fibers in N-methyl morpholine oxide and forming thin films on silicon wafers by spin-coating. The adsorption of cationic polyacrylamides and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride onto these films was studied by stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and by quartz crystal microgravimetry with dissipation (QCM-D). The polyelectrolyte adsorption was studied by SPAR as a function of salt concentration, and it was found that the adsorption maximum was located at 1 mM NaCl for polyelectrolytes of low charge density and at 10 mM NaCl for polyelectrolytes of high charge density. Electrostatic screening led to complete elimination of the polyelectrolyte adsorption at salt concentrations of 300 mM NaCl. According to the QCM-D analysis, the cellulose films showed a pronounced swelling in water that took several hours to complete. Subsequent adsorption of polyelectrolytes onto the cellulose films led to a release of water from the cellulose, an effect that was substantial for polyelectrolytes of high charge density at low salt concentrations. The total mass change including water could therefore show either an increase or a decrease during adsorption onto the cellulose films, depending on the experimental conditions.

Conformation of preadsorbed polyelectrolyte layers on silica studied by secondary adsorption of colloidal silica

The conformation of cationic polyelectrolytes preadsorbed on macroscopic silica surfaces was studied before and after addition of colloidal silica (CS) and compared to the fixation capacity of CS. The study included two polyelectrolytes of equal charge density, cationic polyacrylamide and cationic dextran. Adsorbed amounts were determined with stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and quartz crystal microgravimetry (QCM). Unsaturated layers of polyelectrolyte were formed in SPAR by stopping the adsorption at a fractional coverage relative to saturation adsorption. These layers were probed by secondary saturation adsorption of colloidal silica (CS). At low salt concentrations a high fractional coverage of polyelectrolyte was required to attain adsorption of CS, while significant adsorption of CS was found also for low fractional coverages of polyelectrolyte at salt concentrations above 10 mM NaCl. Saturation adsorption of cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) and cationic dextran (Cdextran) onto the silica surface was found to be similar, while the secondary adsorption of CS was significantly higher onto preadsorbed CPAM compared with Cdextran. The QCM and SPAR data together indicated that the adsorbed layer of Cdextran was thinner than CPAM, and that a loose, expanded layer was formed after adsorption of CS on CPAM but not on Cdextran.

Adsorption Kinetics of Cationic Polyelectrolytes Studied with Stagnation Point Adsorption Reflectometry and Quartz Crystal Microgravimetry

The effects of charge density, pH, and salt concentration on polyelectrolyte adsorption onto the oxidized surface of silicon wafers were studied using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry and quartz crystal microgravimetry. Five different polyelectrolytescationic polyacrylamides of four charge densities and one cationic dextranwere examined. The adsorption kinetics was characterized using each technique, and the adsorption kinetics observed was in line with the impinging jet theory and the theory for one-dimensional diffusion, respectively. The polyelectrolyte adsorption increased with pH as an effect of the increased silica surface charge. A maximum in the saturation adsorption for both types of polyelectrolytes was found at 10 mM NaCl concentration. A significant adsorption also occurred at 1 M NaCl, which indicated a significant nonionic contribution to the adsorption mechanism. The fraction of solvent in the adsorbed layer was determined to be 70-80% by combining the two analysis techniques. This indicated a loose structure of the adsorbed layer and an extended conformation at the surface, favoring loops and tails. However, considering the solution structure with a hydrodynamic diameter larger than 100 nm for the CPAM and a thickness of the adsorbed layer on the order of 10 nm, the results showed that the adsorption is accompanied by a drastic change in polymer conformation. Furthermore, this conformation change takes place on a time scale far shorter than seconds.

Organic versus hybrid coacervate complexes: co-assembly and adsorption properties.

We report the co-assembly and adsorption properties of coacervate complexes made from polyelectrolyte-neutral block copolymers and oppositely charged nanocolloids. The nanocolloids put under scrutiny were ionic surfactant micelles and highly charged 7 nm cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles. Static and dynamic light scattering was used to investigate the microstructure and stability of the organic and hybrid complexes. For five different systems of nanocolloids and polymers, we first demonstrated that the electrostatic complexation resulted in the formation of stable core-shell aggregates in the 100 nm range. The microstructure of the CeO2-based complexes was resolved using cryogenic transmission electronic microscopy (Cryo-TEM), and it revealed that the cores were clusters made from densely packed nanoparticles, presumably through complexation of the polyelectrolyte blocks by the surface charges. The cluster stability was monitored by systematic light scattering measurements. In the concentration range of interest, c = 10-4-1 wt.%, the surfactant-based complexes were shown to exhibit a critical association concentration (cac) whereas the nanoparticle-polymer hybrids did not. The adsorption properties of the same complexes were investigated above the cac by stagnation point adsorption reflectometry. The adsorbed amount was measured as a function of time for polymers and complexes using anionically charged silica and hydrophobic poly(styrene) substrates. It was found that all complexes adsorbed readily on both types of substrates up to a level of 1-2 mg m-2 at stationary state. Upon rinsing however, the adsorbed layer was removed for the surfactant-based systems, but not for the cerium oxide clusters. As for the solution properties, these finding were interpreted in terms of a critical association concentrations, which are very different for organic and hybrid complexes. Combining the efficient adsorption and strong stability of the CeO2-based core-shell hybrids on various substrates, it is finally suggested that these systems could be used appropriately for coating and anti-biofouling applications.

New insights into the structure of polyelectrolyte complexes

The formation of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) from oppositely charged linear polyelectrolytes (PELs) was studied using static light scattering at various salt concentrations. The PELs used were poly(allylamine hydro chloride) (PAH) and the two polyanions poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA). Physical characteristics such as the radii of gyration, molecular weights, and water contents of the PECs were determined at various molar mixing ratios. Despite relatively small differences in chemical structure between PAA and PMAA, fairly large differences were detected in these physical characteristics. Generally, PECs comprising PMAA were larger and contained more water. Moreover, by using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, transmission microscopy and atomic force microscopy, shape and structure of the prepared PECs were investigated both in solution and after drying. The PECs were found to be spherical in solution and the shape was retained after freeze-drying. PECs adsorbed on silica surfaces and dried in air at room-temperature still showed a three-dimensional structure. However, the relatively low aspect ratios indicated that the PECs collapsed significantly due to interactions with the silica during adsorption and drying. At intermediate ionic strengths (1–10 mM), stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) showed that the adsorption of low charged cationic PAH–PAA PECs on silica surfaces increased if the pH value was increased from pH 5.5 to 7.5.

The use of polyelectrolyte multilayers of cationic starch and CMC to enhance strength properties of papers formed from mixtures of unbleached chemical pulp and CTMP. Part I

The construction of alternating multilayers of cationic potato starch and anionic carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was investigated in two parts. In the first part, stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) showed that the chosen chemicals formed polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) upon adsorption to the silicon oxide surface. This was in accordance with earlier work. The chosen polyelectrolytes adsorbed to similar extents on the silicon oxide surface and recharged the surface enough to allow for adsorption of a consecutive layer. In the second part, the multilayer concept was tested on 80/20, 20/80% of total in mixture of mixed spruce CTMP and bleached chemical pulp in order to enhance the sheet strength properties of a typical packaging board furnish.. The multilayers yielded a significant improvement in Scott Bond values and tensile index and a marginal improvement in tensile stiffness index. The Scott Bond values were improved more than 150% for papers prepared from a furnish consisting of 80% spruce CTMP and 20% chemical pulp. Polyelectrolyte multilayers treatment also led to a slight densification of the sheets, but the polyelectrolyte multilayers treatment resulted in a more favourable density/strength relationship than that achieved with a change in the amount of chemical pulp.

The influence on paper strength properties when building multilayers of weak polyelectrolytes onto wood fibres

Polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) have been used to build up polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEM) on wood fibres and on silicon oxide surfaces, under various pH conditions. Consecutive adsorption onto silicon oxide surfaces of PAH and PAA were studied using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry, and the results showed a steady build-up of multilayers. Furthermore, by altering pH, the build-up of the multilayer could be made either linear or exponential in terms of adsorbed amount. Nitrogen analysis of sheets prepared from modified fibres showed that the adsorbed amount of PAH increased throughout PEM build-up, the amount of increase depending on pH during adsorption. Strength measurements of the sheets, i.e., stress at break and strain at break, showed significant improvements ranging from 60 to 200%, depending on both pH during adsorption and type of polyelectrolyte in the outer layer. A good correlation between the adsorbed amount of PAH and the improved strength properties of the paper was also found.

Adsorption of Low Charge Density Polyelectrolyte Containing Poly(ethylene oxide) Side Chains on Silica: Effects of Ionic Strength and pH

Adsorption characteristics of a random copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether methacrylate and methacryloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride (PEOMEMA:METAC) on silica were studied using stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR), quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), and contact angle techniques. The PEOMEMA:METAC copolymer used in this study is a low charge density polyelectrolyte, with 2% of the monomer units carrying permanent positive charges and 98% containing poly(ethylene oxide) side chains that are approximately 45 repeating units long. The surface excess was determined as a function of pH and concentration of indifferent electrolyte. It was found that the presence of a small amount of 1:1 electrolyte decreases the adsorbed amount significantly. Further, increasing the pH at a constant ionic strength, 10 mM, results in decreasing surface excess. It is suggested that the adsorption is realized via a combination of non-Coulomb interactions between the poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, grafts and protonated silanol groups at the silica-solution interface and an electrostatic interaction between the charged segments and the oppositely charged surface. Increasing pH and/or salt concentration results in progressive charging of the silica surface with the consequent decrease in affinity between silica and PEO, explaining the decrease in the adsorbed amount of the polymer.

Influence of polyelectrolyte complexes on the strength properties of papers from unbleached kraft pulps with different yields

For economical reasons filler particles and less expensive fibre raw materials are more frequently used in papermaking. This influences the mechanical properties of the formed papers in a negative way and it is therefore necessary to add strength-enhancing agents to the papermaking furnish. Traditionally cationic starch has been the dominating additive used for strength enhancement but new techniques are continuously being developed and in the present work the use of polyelectrolyte complexes (PEC) for improvements of different paper strength properties has been evaluated. Large focus has also been given to evaluating the properties of the polyelectrolyte complexes since these properties are largely dependant on molecular mass of the polyelectrolytes, the mixing conditions and ionic strength of the polyelectrolyte solutions. The PEC formation was studied between chemicals already used for strength enhancing purposes in real papermaking systems, i.e. poly (amido-amine) epichlorohydrin (PAE) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The PEC formation was studied with respect to fundamental characteristics and the ability for use as strength additives. The PEC formation was also studied using model polyelectrolytes (PEL) poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), as the cationic component, and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), as the anionic components. The fundamental studies involve the PEC formation by varying the mixing ratio between the polyelectrolytes, the charge density or molecular weight of a component, structure of the one polyelectrolyte component, the mixing order, together with solution conditions. The main techniques used for these purposes were the static and dynamic light scattering, AFM tapping mode and Cryo-TEM. The adsorption of PECs onto surfaces of silica and lignin was investigated, using the stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR) and QCM-D (quartz crystal microgravimetry with dissipation). With these two techniques the amount of adsorbed chemical is obtained an also the viscoelastic properties of the adsorbed layer. The stability of PECs towards an increase in salt concentrations was investigated and the PECs were stable up to 0.2-0.4 M NaCl before complete dissolution, suggesting that the driving force for the formation of the PECs (from CMC-PAE) is a combination of the entropic effect of the released counterions and an enthalpy contribution from the interaction between the polymer segments. The PECs did not change their 3D-structure upon drying. It was also found that the swollen 3D structure of the complexes is achieved by an incorporation of a large amount of water into the complexes. Calculations based on the collected results show that the complexes consist of between 60 % and 95 % water. The PECs formed from PAA and PAH displayed higher water content when formed from low PEL concentration and salt concentrations up to 0.1 M NaCl than the PMAA-PAH PECs. At high PEL concentration and high salt concentration the opposite was observed. The use of the complexes as dry strength additives has two large benefits. First of all the 3D structure of the complexes allows for an efficient bridging between the microscopically rough fibre surfaces. Secondly the complexes allows for a higher saturation adsorption of polyelectrolytes on the fibre surface compared with a single polyelectrolyte addition. The PEC addition also leads to an increase in density, but the PECs showed the same benefits as beating when added to the unbeaten fibres. The effect on the fibre material, with regard to paper properties, varies depending on the pulp used.

Adsorption of bilayers and multilayers of cationic and anionic co-polymers of acrylamide on silicon oxide

Silica surfaces were consecutively treated with copolymers of cationic and anionic polyacrylamides (C-PAM and A-PAM, respectively) and the layer-by-layer build-up was continuously monitored with the aid of stagnation point adsorption reflectometry (SPAR). Four different charge densities of the cationic polymer and one charge density of the anionic polymer were studied. The solid substrate used in the investigation was an oxidized Si wafer, the charge of which was varied by performing the measurements at different pH. Adsorption measurements were performed both in deionized water and with a background electrolyte concentration of 0.01 M NaCl. The results show that the adsorption of C-PAM at pH 6 was dominated by electrostatic interactions. However, a significant nonionic contribution to the adsorption of C-PAM on SiO 2 was detected-when the results of adsorption measurements conducted in deionized water and in 0.01 M NaCl were compared. At pH 9, the adsorption of C-PAM onto SiO 2 was found to be geometrically restricted since the adsorption stoichiometry between the polymer charges and the charges on the surface was less than 1 irrespective of the charge of the C-PAM. Adsorption of the A-PAM onto the C-PAM covered surface increases as a function of the adsorbed charges in the first layer. Experiments showed that it was possible to form multilayers of polyelectrolytes on the SiO 2 surface provided the charge of the C-PAM was high enough. The critical charge of the polyelectrolyte for the formation of multilayers was also dependent on the charge of the substrate; that is, the lower the surface charge the higher the critical charge of the C-PAM. The substrate affected the amount of polyelectrolyte adsorbed up to the fifth layer. For further layers there was almost a stoichiometric relationship between the charges of the polyelectrolytes in consecutive layers. Results from studies of the formed multilayers with a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM-D) indicated that there was a close correlation between energy dissipation into the multilayers and a decrease in the adsorption as detected with SPAR. This in turn indicates that a decrease in the reflectometer signal does not necessarily indicate a decrease in adsorption.