Preparation and characterization of AKD sizing agent by “one-pot cooking”

Abstract

Abstract Alkyl ketone dimer (AKD) is a reactive sizing agent commonly used in neutral or alkaline papermaking. Most traditional methods consist in preparing the AKD emulsion and then adding it to a starch solution. In this study, the preparation process of the AKD sizing liquid was improved and optimized. A novel preparation method of the AKD sizing agent was proposed. The effects of different reaction parameters, such as temperature, time, stirring speed, emulsifier dosage and solid content were investigated. The optimum conditions for preparing the AKD sizing agent were determined, and the sizing liquid was characterized. It was found that the water resistance of the coated paper was the highest when the reaction was carried out at 75 °C for 20 min, at a stirring speed of 700 r/min, with the emulsifier dosage of 9 % and solids content of 15 %.