Application Of Attapulgite Clay Functional Filler In Papermaking

One-dimensional high aspect ratio attapulgite is a porous-rich aluminum-magnesium silicate, as the main component of which is a rare natural micro-nano-structured non-metallic minerals, it is known as "King of clay " reputation, and iswidely used in chemical industry, light industry and agriculture, forestry and otherfields. As the plentiful silanols and high aspect ratio of attapulgite, it could beeffectively compatible with plant fibers to enhance the performance of the filled paper.In this work, in order to improve the dispersion of filler, to enhance the properties offilled papers, hydration, organically modified and inorganic composite of attapulgitewere studied, and the use of modified fillers in papermaking was systematicallyexplored.1. Effect of hydrated treatment of attapulgite on filling paperHigh-speed stirring was use to dispersed attapulgite, and the dispersion effects ofstirring were studied. It was found that adequate hydration treatment could makeattapulgite disintegration into micro and nanoscale. Tensile index of the attapulgite-filled handsheets reached13.9N·m·g-1when the filling amount was5%, it increasedby14.9%compared with less hydration attapulgite, the smoothness and flexibility wasalso significantly enhanced compared with blank sheet. SEM and mechanism analysisshows that, efficient hydration is an effective way for attapulgite to be micro andnanoscale; The high length/diameter ratio and easy hydration of attapulgite clay werethe root cause of that it could endow paper superior properties and overcome theweaken of mechanical properties of paper filled with traditional filler.2. Studies on the preparation and application of attapulgite/chitosan compositefillerThe effect of the chitosan dosage and modified technology were explored. Theresults showed that chitosan can be effectively used for attapulgite organic coatedmodified, the surface of modified attapulgite positively charged, which can effectivelyenhance the retention of attapulgite clay and small plant fibers. Chitosan modifiedattapulgite can make the mechanical properties of the filled paper improvesignificantly. When chitosan dosage in1%, modified stirring speed in4000rpm,Tensile index of the modified attapulgite-filled handsheets reached10.2N·m·g-1, itincreased by25.9%compared with unmodified attapulgite, other performance of filledpaper were also significantly enhanced, which have a strong economic feasibility. Comprehensive characterization of analysis, we can conclude that chitosan is coatedon the surface concave through the electrostatic adsorption.3. Studies on improving the performance of paper by filled with attapulgiteinorganic composite fillerGround calcium carbonate, talc and wollastonite were composited withattapulgite, the properties and applications properties of composite filler wereinvestigated. The results showed that, the suspension of composite filler weresignificant increased compared with single filler, and the intension of composite fillerfilled paper were significantly improved. SEM characterization and mechanismanalysis showed that, attapulgite and other fillers could be evenly mixed. The mainreinforcement mechanism for composite filler are main the complexing of chemicalcomposition, and compatible with polymeric matrix of the fillers as well asoptimization in orientation and pile-up of composite filler particles.