Abstract To reduce the exposure risk of potentially harmful cigarette smoke, the precise design of fiber raw materials is key to modifying pyrolysis product distributions in cigarette paper. This study investigates the effects of pulp/wood blending ratios on the physical properties, chemical composition, and pyrolysis behavior of cigarette paper. Results indicate that the pulp blending ratio reconstructs the chemical microenvironment – particularly the lignin/hemicellulose distribution – thereby inducing a directional shift in the pyrolysis pathway. At 900 °C, the total relative abundance of fused-ring aromatic compounds and benzenes decreased from 55.07 % (pure hemp pulp, S1) to 43.87 % (pure softwood pulp, S7), demonstrating that wood pulp incorporation significantly regulates product distribution. This work elucidates the intrinsic relationship among fiber composition, chemical microenvironment, pyrolysis behavior, and products distribution, providing a theoretical basis for designing cigarette paper with tailored pyrolysis product profiles. The results represent compositional trends under pyrolytic conditions and require further validation under standardized smoking conditions for extrapolation to actual cigarette smoke.
This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the effects of coating processes employing lignin-reinforced nanocellulose suspensions, derived from various types of waste paper, on the functional and physicochemical properties of packaging papers. In particular, the study focuses on elucidating how the incorporation of lignin within nanocellulose-based coating systems affects key performance characteristics, including mechanical strength, barrier performance, surface properties, and overall paper quality. The results revealed that physical, mechanical, optical, and barrier properties of the papers were significantly influenced by the coating formulation. Papers coated with cellulose nanofiber/lignin (CNF/L) and cellulose nanocrystal/lignin (CNC/L) suspensions exhibited increased thickness and grammage relative to both uncoated and water-coated counterparts. Following the application of nanocellulose/lignin (NC/L) suspensions, a decline in tensile and tear indices was observed, whereas the burst index demonstrated a notable enhancement. Evaluation of optical properties revealed that, except for opacity, all measured optical parameters improved upon coating with CNF- and CNC-based suspensions. In terms of barrier performance, NC-based coatings resulted in higher water absorption values while simultaneously reducing air permeability compared to uncoated papers. To sum up, this study suggests that leveraging CNF and CNC can enhance the quality of low-grammage packaging papers, potentially opening new avenues for their applications.
Abstract LED lighting exhibits a pronounced short-wavelength peak that can contribute to visual discomfort during near-work tasks. This study evaluates LUTI, a lutein-pigmented paper, designed to selectively attenuate blue-light reflectance while maintaining colour neutrality and material stability. Spectral, colorimetric and ageing measurements demonstrate that LUTI reduces reflectance in the 400–480 nm region with minimal chromatic shift and acceptable stability. The findings support the concept of natural-pigment functionalization of paper for improving visual ergonomics in LED-illuminated environments.
The valorization of hemicellulose represents a sustainable pathway toward bio-based papermaking additives. In this study, hemicellulose was isolated from the black liquor of potassium hydroxide pulping of corn stalk. The recovered hemicellulose, which was predominantly xylan (89.3 % xylose), exhibited poor water solubility (2 %) and low nitrogen content (1.46 %), limiting its direct application as a wet-end additive. To overcome these limitations, the hemicellulose was cationized using (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl) trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTAC) under alkaline conditions. The cationization reaction was optimized by varying temperature, CHPTAC-to-hemicellulose molar ratio, and NaOH-to-CHPTAC molar ratio. Under optimal conditions, the cationic hemicellulose achieved a degree of substitution of 0.16 and a yield of 58.75 %. The cationic hemicellulose exhibited significantly improved water solubility (20 %) and increased nitrogen content (1.99 %). When applied to recycled pulp at doses up to 1.5 wt%, the cationic hemicellulose improved tensile, burst and tear indices. Furthermore, when used as a retention aid for precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) at 10 % filler loading, cationic hemicellulose achieved an ash content of 8.38 % while maintaining superior mechanical properties compared to cationic starch. These findings demonstrate that cationized hemicellulose from KOH pulping black liquor is an effective, renewable wet-end additive for papermaking applications.
Abstract Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl ( B. vulgaris ) is a promising fiber source in pulp and papermaking due to its rapid growth, high cellulose content, and abundance. This study examined the effects of handsheet functionalization with lignocellulosic nanofiber (LCNF, 0, 10, and 15 wt%) combined with chitosan/nano-titanium dioxide (CTS/NT) surface coating on chemical, physical, morphological, and barrier properties. Handsheets were produced from B. vulgaris kraft pulp, with LCNF mechanically ground. CTS/NT suspension was applied via spray coating. Chemical analysis revealed high holocellulose (93.40 %) and alpha-cellulose (76.26 %), with low residual lignin (3.65 %). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed cellulose and lignin in pulp and LCNF, and coating retention in samples. Handsheets with 15 wt% LCNF and CTS/NT showed enhanced tensile index (TSI) and folding endurance (FE), with a declined tear index. Brightness increased while opacity remained stable. Morphological analysis revealed reduced porosity and a coating layer on treated samples. CTS/NT significantly improved barrier properties, achieving water contact angles (WCA) of 116–127° (vs. 0° in uncoated). These findings demonstrate that bamboo handsheets functionalized with LCNF and CTS/NT offer a biodegradable, high-performance alternative to synthetic materials for food, nutritional, and pharmaceutical packaging applications.
