EFFECT OF MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE AS A FILLER AND/OR FILLER RETENTION AID ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAGASSE PAPER SHEETS

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), as a green material derived from bagasse, was investigated as an additive (0-3 wt%) in the preparation of bagasse paper sheets, in comparison with cationic starch. The effect of MCC addition, in the presence of 15% kaolin or 15% calcium carbonate as paper filler, was also studied. The properties of bagasse paper sheets loaded with MCC or cationic starch, in the presence or absence of 15% kaolin or 15% calcium carbonate as paper filler, were evaluated in terms of breaking length, burst, tear, opacity and filler retention values. Also, SEM and thermal analyses of the paper sheets were performed. It was found that all the properties of the bagasse paper sheets were improved as a result of MCC or cationic starch addition and, in general, the observed improvement increased as the percent of addition increased. Calcium carbonate and cationic starch, in general, gave superior properties, compared to kaolin and MCC, respectively. Overall, MCC could be considered as an alternative economically viable paper additive.