Preparation and properties of pulp fibers treated with zinc oxide nanoparticles by in situ chemosynthesis

Abstract

Abstract The efficiency of the growth and properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on pulp fibers was investigated. ZnO-NPs were grown on pulp fiber surface via an in situ chemosynthesis method at different concentrations. The modified pulp fibers were characterized by different analytical tools including field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray power diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Ultraviolet (UV) absorption and antibacterial properties of the paper made from treated and untreated pulp fibers were analyzed. The results revealed that the rod-like ZnO-NPs were successfully grown onto the fiber surfaces without aggregation. As the precursor concentration increased from 0.01 to 0.07 mol l−1, the ZnO loading on the fibers increased from 4.2 to 23.4%, respectively. Compared to the untreated fibers, paper made from ZnO-treated fibers had a better UV absorption ability and antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. However, the ZnO-treated pulp fiber reduced the zero span tensile index of the paper.