Modification of cellulose for paper making application

Cellulose is the most abundant polysaccharide in nature; its renewability, sustainability, and biodegradability have brought cellulose more and more attentions all over the world. In particular, they have been acknowledged as having huge potential in pulp and paper technology. It is also possible to modify them using various modification techniques in order to expand the range of applications. The type of modification required may vary depending on the purpose of adding this kind of material. Understanding what is involved in different cellulose modification processes and what parameters need to be considered could provide solutions for maximizing the use of this kind of material. Therefore, the main objective of the PhD student project is to experimentally modify the surface chemistry/properties of the cellulose material with different kinds of treatments and pretreatments, study its properties, and finally apply it to papermaking or film production.