Observation of the Configuration of Binder Latex in Coating Layer:Direct Observation Technology of Binder

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Printability of coated paper is influenced by the coating structure in which the binder plays an important role. It was therefore tried to observe closely the configuration of binder latex in coating layer. The inorganic pigments, which constitute a large portion of coating layer, were dissolved and removed by using hydrochloric acid and hydrogen fluoride acid. By taking this process, the configuration of binder latex in coating layer could be observed directly, without unnecessary effect of pigments. Electron Probe Micro Analysis showed that there was no residual pigment in coating layer (after the process above). Upon preparing samples for cross-section observation, Focused Ion Beam equipment and Cryo-ultramicrotome were used, to decrease the risk of damaging binder-latex's configuration. This observation demonstrated that binder latex form three-dimensional network structure, holding the pigments inside of the coating layer. Using Cryo-ultramicrotome, an ultra-thin film of the coating layer was also prepared from the cross-section, and observed through Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). Furthermore, the application of this cross-sectional observation technique to commercial double-coated paper is presented in this paper.
紙パルプ技術協会の論文