Preparation and Characterization of Collagen Grafted by Styrene-butyl Acrylate and its Application for Paper Sizing

Abstract

Collagen extracted from tannery wastes was modified by grafting it with molecular chains formed by polymerizing vinyl and acrylate monomers. The novel collagen product obtained in this manner was tested as paper sizing agent. The structure and properties of modified collagen were characterized by FTIR, STA and XRD. Results indicate that polyvinyl chains were grafted onto collagen, primarily in its crystalline regions. This modification significantly improved the thermal stability of collagen. Then the modified collagen emulsion alone (MCE), or combined either with gelatinized starch (MCE+S) or commercially produced styrene-acrylic emulsion (MCE+SAE), was applied to the surface of corrugating medium. The properties of these products were compared with those of commercially produced medium sized by SAE+S. Sizing by (MCE+S) increased the ring crush index by 12.7% and tensile index by 13.4%. In a Cobb60 test the corrugating medium sized by a blend of modified collagen and styrene acrylic emulsion (MCE+SAE) absorbed less water than commercially produced medium sized by SAE+S.Abbreviations Used:US = Unsized paper. SAE+S = Paper sized by styrene acrylic emulsion and starch. MCE = Modified collagen emulsion. MCE+SAE = Modified collagen emulsion couple with styrene acrylic emulsion. MCE+S = Modified collagen emulsion couple with gelatinized starch.