New method of paper hydrophobization based on starch-cellulose-siloxane interactions

Abstract

A new method of paper hydrophobization was evaluated based on a coating agent containing a water emulsion of triethoxymethylsilane with standard starch solutions. The effects of different concentrations on the hydrophobic properties of the resulting silicone-coated materials were investigated using a penetration dynamics analyzer (PDA) and water contact angle measurements. This study also examined the effects of the applied coatings on the paper’s tensile strength, tear index, roughness, air permeance, and ISO brightness. Preliminary studies were conducted on the molecular interaction mechanisms between the silicone agent and starch modifiers, based on solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images.