Engineered nanomaterials for papermaking industry

Abstract

The interest in nanomaterials for papermaking industry has strongly increased in the latest decade in order to improve the properties of existing paper products or create new functionalities to papers. In this chapter, a broad overview of nanomaterials derived from paper products or nanofillers used during papermaking is given. The recent advances in producing nanocellulose as microfibrillated cellulose or cellulose nanowhiskers are discussed, together with the preparation routes for a range of inorganic and organic nanofillers. The electrospinning of paper constituents is an alternative way for the creation of nanostructured materials. Some novel trends include the in-situ modification of nanofibers and nanofillers in order to tune their surface properties. However, most prominent challenges remain associated with the definition of suitable processing conditions, which are evaluated in terms of rheology and retention properties of nanomaterials. The benefits of nanofillers and nanopigments to create several functionalities to the paper bulk or surface are shortly discussed.