title: Chemical modification of cellulosic fibers for better convertibility in packaging applications.
abstract: Cellulose fiber has been modified by mechanical and chemical means in order to improve paper properties, which respond to moisture and temperature. When the cellulose is first refined and then etherified using hydroxypropylation under dry conditions, the paper sheets prepared from the hydroxypropylated cellulose show improved elongation. When the level of hydroxypropylation is high enough, the paper sheets also become transparent. Additionally, the effect of cellulose activation using different mechanical methods has been compared by esterification reactions. It is shown that removal of water is the most crucial step for the esterification reactions while other methods have a lesser impact. The paper sheets prepared from the esterified cellulose fibers show an increase in contact angles and high hydrophobicity.
authors.affiliation: VTT, Valta-akseli PL 21, 05201 Rajamäki, Finland. sauli.vuoti@vtt.fi
authors.forename: Sauli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vuoti
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Laatikainen
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heikkinen
authors.forename: Leena-Sisko
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Erkki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saharinen
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Retulainen
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D010209:Paper; D019064:Product Packaging
chemical_list: D002482:Cellulose; C008079:hydroxypropylcellulose