Xylanase-Induced Liberation of Negatively Charged Species and Their Effect on Colloidal Interactions and the Retention of Bleached Kraft Pulp Fibers

Abstract

The ability and specificity of various monocomponent endo-1-4-β-xylanases to release negatively charged species from never-dried, bleached, birch kraft pulp was studied. The effects of dissolution of these xylan-based components on pulp filtrate properties and the subsequent chemical retention were determined. The results revealed that the amount of charged species released depended on the xylanase and that the ratio of charged species released to dissolved xylan is not linear. Chemical retention tests showed that high levels of dissolved xylan interfere with the fixation of colloidal species, which was confirmed by removing the dissolved hemicelluloses. The roles of residual hemicellulose and the properties of modified fibers on chemical retention and the level of internal sizing are discussed.

Keywords

• Retention
• Charged species
• Cationic demand
• Colloidal interaction
• Zeta potential
• Xylanase