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Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking

  • M. Mostafizur Rahman , Taslima Ferdous , Yangcan Jin and M. Sarwar Jahan EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: April 8, 2025
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Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal
From the journal Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal Volume 40 Issue 2

Abstract

Hemicellulose, a lignocellulosic component derived from wood or non-wood pulping, has garnered emerging research interest due to its unique property profiles, which enable its potential use as a bio-based alternative additive in paper production. Additionally, it holds significant promise for commercialization within the forest biorefinery sector. The paper reviews the articles investigated on hemicellulose and cationic hemicellulose addition in papermaking. Studies have shown that hemicellulose removal from the pulp decreased tensile strength, and hemicellulose addition reduced refining energy and improved strength properties. The effectiveness of hemicellulose addition in pulp is influenced by the molar mass of xylan. The primary challenge in using hemicellulose as a wet-end chemical is its limited ability to significantly improve papermaking properties. Therefore, it needs to be cationized to get desired performance. The cationization agents are 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CHPTAC) and 2,3-epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (EPTAC), which are used in alkaline medium. To reduce the degradation of hemicellulose, the cationization was also carried out in aqueous ethanol and relatively low alkali concentration. The application of cationic xylans to the anionic pulp surface mitigates the electrostatic repulsion, facilitate stronger inter-fiber bonding and improve papermaking properties.

Keywords: xylan; cationic hemicellulose; 2,3-epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride; refining energy; papermaking properties
Corresponding author: M. Sarwar Jahan, Pulp and Paper Research Division, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories, Dhaka, Dr. Qudrat-i-Khuda Road, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh, E-mail:

Funding source: Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Award Identifier / Grant number: SRG-242308

Acknowledgments

Authors wish to thank Ministry of Science and Technology, GoB for providing necessary fund to carry out this research.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Author contributions: M. Sarwar Jahan and Yangcan Jin: Idea generation and Writing. M. Mostafizur Rahman and Taslima Ferdous Review and editing.

  4. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  5. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: Ministry of Science and Technology, GoB, Bangladesh.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2025-01-14
Accepted: 2025-03-26
Published Online: 2025-04-08
Published in Print: 2025-06-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
  6. Paper Technology
  7. Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
  8. Paper Physics
  9. Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
  10. Paper Chemistry
  11. Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
  12. Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
  13. Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
  14. Coating
  15. Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
  16. Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
  17. Printing
  18. Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
  19. Packaging
  20. The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
  21. Environmental Impact
  22. Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
  23. Recycling
  24. Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
  25. A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
  26. Lignin
  27. In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
  28. Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2025-0003
Keywords for this article
xylan; cationic hemicellulose; 2,3-epoxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride; refining energy; papermaking properties

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Bleaching
  3. The effect of xylanase on the fine structure of a bleached kraft softwood pulp
  4. Mechanical Pulping
  5. Development of handsheet mechanical properties linked to fibre distributions in two-stage low consistency refining of high yield pulp
  6. Paper Technology
  7. Analysis of finger ridges in paper manufacturing and development of a qualitative model of their formation
  8. Paper Physics
  9. Microfibrillated cellulose coatings for biodegradable electronics
  10. Paper Chemistry
  11. Preparation of CMC-β-CD-sulfaguanidine and its application for protection of paper
  12. Drying characteristics and numerical simulation of tissue paper
  13. Hemicellulose as an additive in papermaking
  14. Coating
  15. Synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose-β∼cyclodextrin-coated sulfaguanidine and its enhanced antimicrobial efficacy for paper protection
  16. Integrating barrier chemicals into coating systems for optimized white top testliner performance
  17. Printing
  18. Quantifying optical and mechanical contributions to dot gain
  19. Packaging
  20. The impact of cellulosic pulps on thermoforming process: effects on formation time and drainage efficiency
  21. Environmental Impact
  22. Assessing the impact of substituting hypo sludge (paper pulp) in cement and introducing natural fiber in the form of human hair to enhance compressive strength in concrete
  23. Recycling
  24. Atomization numerical simulation of high solids content bamboo pulping black liquor based on VOF model
  25. A review of the fractionation and properties of lignin derived from pulping black liquor and lignocellulose pretreatment
  26. Lignin
  27. In-situ construct dynamic bonds between lignin and PBAT by epoxidized soybean oil to improve interfacial compatibility: processing, characterization, and antibacterial activity for food packaging
  28. Separation of high-yield and high-purity lignin from Elm wood using ternary deep eutectic solvents
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