Strengthening kenaf cellulose nanofibers used in kraft paper

Iranian researchers succeeded in the production of kenaf pulp nanofiber gel and nanofiber compound papers using lower energy. The researchers investigated the strengthening ability of kenaf cellulose nanofibers in the production of Kraft paper with industrial-based paper paste in two separate sections. The product has better physical and mechanical properties than compound papers or papers coated with nanofibers made of commercial needle-type-leaf brown Kraft paste. Results of the research showed that the compound papers or papers coated with nanofibers made of kenaf pulp brown Kraft paste had better physical and mechanical properties than compound papers or papers coated with nanofibers made of commercial needle-type-leaf brown Kraft paste. Moreover, unbleached brown Kraft paper made of kenaf pulp can be converted into nanofiber gels more easily than needle-type unbleached brown Kraft paper paste, to the extent that nanofiber gels can be produced even by passing the unbleached paper paste suspension of kenaf pulp with higher dryness (about 5.5%) than the common range (1-2%) of the micro-fluidizer. It was impossible for forest pine Kraft paper paste as a source of commercial needle-type fibers of paper paste. Therefore, kenaf pulp nanofiber gels can be produced by consuming lower amount of energy. This research proved that cellulose nanofibers could be produced through mechanical methods from kenaf stem brown paste as a non-wooden lignocellulose plant by consuming less than 400 kWh. Results of the research have been published in Cellulose, vol. 20, issue 5, October 2013, pp. 2559-2567, and vol. 20, issue 2, April 2013, pp. 727-740.