THE EFFECT OF FIBRILLATED CELLULOSE PREPARED FROM THE DISTILLERY CORN REFUSE ON POROSITY OF PAPER FILTERS

This study exploited the possibility of using corn distillery refuse as a cheap source of nanocellulose production. Coarse fibrillated cellulose and very fine particles were extracted by acid-alkali extraction. Two methods were compared where either acidic extraction took place before alkaline extraction or with the extraction in a reversed order. The effectiveness of removing hemicellulose and lignin was determined by IR Fourier transform spectroscopy. The optimal technique of application of fibrillated cellulose with added solutions of metal cations with antimicrobial properties on HEPA filter was selected. The optimal conditions were the alkali extraction followed by the acidic extraction and optimal application of solution of fibres and metal ions on filter paper was achieved using rod. The efficiency of filter materials was tested on a filter device with using of two model microorganisms and results showed that it is necessary to consider both the type of fibres, their optimal coating on filter paper as well as the morphology of microorganisms. The mixture of Cu, Al, Mg, Ca and Zn metal ions was sufficient for effective disinfection.

The effect of a phenol-formaldehyde adhesive reinforcement with nanocellulose on the pressing parameters of plywood

Research on improving the reactivity of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resin and the possibility of lowering the pressing parameters of wood-based materials manufactured with its participation are still progressing. Due to a number of favorable properties, nanocellulose (NCC) is gaining more and more popularity as a modifier of wood adhesives. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess the possible reduction of plywood pressing parameters due to the reinforcement of PF resin with NCC. Based on the bonding quality results it was found that there is a possibility to reduce pressing time by 25% and pressing temperature by 7%. Moreover, the outcomes of mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity and bending strength) of manufactured plywood indicate that theoretically it could be possible to decrease the pressing parameters even more. However, the shear strength of the glue joints was considered to be a limiting factor for further reduction. The results of delamination test show that plywood bonded with phenolic resin have no tendency to delaminate. Thus, it can be concluded that NCC can be used as a modifier for PF resin which can contribute to the reduction of pressing time and pressing temperature during the plywood manufacturing process.