Modified cellulose-chitosan polyelectrolyte for enhancing wet and dry strength of paper

Authors

  • T Ferdous Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka1000, Bangladesh
  • M M Karim Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka1000, Bangladesh
  • M M Rahman Pulp and Paper Research Division, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories, Dhaka, Dr. Qudrat-i-Khuda Road, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
  • M S Jahan Pulp and Paper Research Division, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories, Dhaka, Dr. Qudrat-i-Khuda Road, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v61i1.79845

Keywords:

carboxymethyl cellulose, water-soluble chitosan, carboxymethyl chitosan, dry strength agent, wet strength agent

Abstract

A polyelectrolyte system based on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and water-soluble chitosan was developed and evaluated as wet and dry strength agent for paper. Chitosan was chemically modified through carboxymethylation to produce water-soluble carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh), confirmed by FTIR analysis with characteristic peaks at 1586 cm⁻¹ and 1400 cm⁻¹. CMCh exhibited enhanced water solubility, particularly at elevated temperatures, and demonstrated improved conductivity, making it suitable for applications such as polyelectrolytes. In papermaking, CMCh, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and their combination significantly improved dry and wet strength properties, including tensile, tear, and burst indices, with a synergistic effect observed in their combined use. The dry and wet tensile index of refined pulp increased from 55.48 N.m/g to 66.67 N.m/g and 2.48 N.m/g to 4.1 N.m/g, respectively, with the addition of 1.0% CMCh. CMCh also enhanced filler retention, increasing ash content from 3.6% to 6.89%. These findings highlight CMCh as a versatile additive for improving paper strength and filler retention.

Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 61(1), 1-8, 2026

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Published

2026-03-29

How to Cite

Ferdous, T., Karim, M. M., Rahman, M. M., & Jahan, M. S. (2026). Modified cellulose-chitosan polyelectrolyte for enhancing wet and dry strength of paper. Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 61(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v61i1.79845

Issue

Vol. 61 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Articles

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