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2026 Vol.58, Issue 4 Preview Page

Original Paper

Development of High-Loading Filler for High Bulk Paper Using Nanocellulose Prepared by Ca(OH)2 Assisted Fibrillation

Ca(OH)2 복합 해섬화에 의한 나노셀룰로오스 제조 및 이를 통한 고벌크 제지용 하이로딩 충전재 제조

Mingyu Hwang1
,
Changoo Kim1
,
Seokhwan Yoon1
,
Chaeyeon Kang1
,
Yungbum Seo2
,
Jungsoo Han3†
황 민규1
,
김 찬구1
,
윤 석환1
,
강 채연1
,
서 영범2
,
한 정수3†
1Department of Biobased Materials, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University
2R&D Center, Arame Materials Co., Ltd.
3Department of Biobased Materials, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University
1충남대학교 농업생명과학대학 환경소재공학과, 대학원생
2㈜아라메소재 R&D 센터, 연구소장
3충남대학교 농업생명과학대학 환경소재공학과, 조교수
†Corresponding Author: E-mail: han1606@cnu.ac.kr (Address: Department of Biobased Materials, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, 34134, Republic of Korea)
30 August 2026. pp. 47-61
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Abstract

In the papermaking industry, simultaneously achieving high filler loading and high paper bulk remains a critical challenge for lightweight-paper production and resource conservation. However, conventional inorganic fillers typically increase sheet density, limiting bulk improvement and causing significant deterioration in mechanical strength. Herein, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) were prepared using an energy-efficient Ca(OH)2-assisted mechanical fibrillation process and directly utilized as structural scaffolds for the in situ synthesis of CaCO3–CNF composites known as flexible calcium carbonate (FCC). Ca(OH)2-assisted treatment induced alkaline swelling and structural relaxation of pulp fibers while increasing particle–fiber friction during grinding. This synergistic effect enabled the production of CNFs with an average width comparable to that obtained for untreated pulp after five grinding passes but using only a single grinding pass. At a CNF width of 60–65 nm, the sample treated with 0.5 wt% Ca(OH)2 and subjected to one grinding pass required ~24% less specific grinding energy than the untreated five-pass control. Subsequently, FCC fillers were synthesized through carbonation, obtaining unique composite aggregates wherein precipitated calcium carbonate was directly integrated into the fibril network. When applied to handsheets, the FCC fillers effectively preserved fiber-to-fiber bonding owing to their large effective particle size and high aspect ratio, considerably increasing sheet bulk while mitigating the reduction in the breaking length observed generally. Furthermore, the extensive fiber–filler–air interfaces generated by the composite aggregates substantially improved sheet brightness and opacity compared with conventional ground calcium carbonate fillers. Thus, this integrated process provides an effective and sustainable strategy for the low-energy production of CNFs and high-performance papermaking fillers.

Keywords
Calcium hydroxide-assisted fibrillation
alkaline swelling
nanocellulose
high-bulk paper
high-loading
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Information
  • Publisher :Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국펄프종이공학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korea TAPPI
  • Journal Title(Ko) :펄프종이기술
  • Volume : 58
  • No :4
  • Pages :47-61
  • Received Date : 2026-06-30
  • Revised Date : 2026-07-31
  • Accepted Date : 2026-08-05
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7584/JKTAPPI.2026.8.58.4.47
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