Functionalization of paper components

Abstract

Compositions and methods of producing paper-based materials are disclosed. In general, the techniques utilize an amine-containing polymer, such as chitosan, to functionalize one or more components of a mixture used to form materials such as paper-based materials. Such components can include the fibers of a pulp and/or filler particles. In one instance, either the pulp or the filler particles are functionalized, but not both. Such functionalization can improve the qualities of a paper-based material relative to when such functionalization is not utilized. Techniques and compositions are also described to further improve the qualities of a paper material by utilizing a complementary polymer which can couple with the amine-containing polymer.

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A method of producing a paper-based material, comprising:
 functionalizing fibers of a pulp using an amine-containing polymer;   combining filler particles with the functionalized fibers of the pulp to produce at least a portion of a paper-forming mixture; and   producing the paper-based material from the paper-forming mixture.   
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the amine-containing polymer does not functionalize the filler particles. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the pulp is substantially free of synthetic polymer-based fibers. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the step of functionalizing fibers includes combining the pulp with a polymer comprising at least one of chitosan segments and branched polyethyleneimine segments. 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 68 , wherein the step of combining the pulp with the polymer includes:
 combining the pulp with chitosan to form a functionalizing mixture; and   raising the pH of the functionalizing mixture to at least about 6 to cause the chitosan to associate with a surface of fibers of the pulp.   
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the step of functionalizing fibers includes adding a crosslinking agent to couple the amine-containing polymer to the fibers of the pulp. 
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 65 , further comprising:
 adding a complementary polymer to functionalized fibers of the pulp, the complementary polymer capable of coupling with the amine-containing polymer.   
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes coupling the complementary polymer to the amine-containing polymer without using a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes coupling the complementary polymer to the amine-containing polymer using a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing strength of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes altering stiffness of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing wear resistance of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing water-resistance of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing water-contact angle of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material includes forming a sheet with the paper-forming mixture, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed before the step of forming the sheet. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material includes forming a sheet with the paper-forming mixture, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed after the step of forming the sheet. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material further includes drying the sheet, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed before drying the sheet. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 80 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material further includes drying the sheet, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed after drying the sheet. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the step of functionalizing fibers comprises:
 emulsifiying a complementary polymer with the amine-containing polymer in an aqueous solution; and   adding the emulsion to the fibers of the pulp to cause attraction between the amine-containing polymer and the fibers of the pulp.   
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the complementary polymer is a hydrophobic polymer. 
     
     
         85 . A method of producing a paper-based material, comprising:
 functionalizing a surface of filler particles using an amine-containing polymer;   combining fibers of a pulp with the functionalized filler particles to produce at least a portion of a paper-forming mixture; and   producing the paper-based material from the paper-forming mixture.   
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the amine-containing polymer does not functionalize the fibers of the pulp. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the pulp is substantially free of synthetic polymer-based fibers. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the step of functionalizing the surface includes combining the filler particles with a polymer comprising at least one of chitosan segments and branched polyethyleneimine segments. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein the step of combining the filler particles with the polymer includes:
 combining the filler particles with chitosan to form a functionalizing mixture; and   raising the pH of the functionalizing mixture to at least about 6 to cause the chitosan to associate with the surface of the filler particles.   
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the surface of the filler particles is an inorganic surface. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the step of functionalizing the surface includes adding a crosslinking agent to couple the amine-containing polymer to the surface of the filler particles. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 85 , further comprising:
 adding a complementary polymer to the functionalized filler particles, the complementary polymer capable of coupling with the amine-containing polymer.   
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes coupling the complementary polymer to the amine-containing polymer without using a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes coupling the complementary polymer to the amine-containing polymer using a chemical reaction. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing strength of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes altering stiffness of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing wear resistance of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing water-resistance of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 98 , wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer includes increasing water-contact angle of the paper-based material formed by the method. 
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material includes forming a sheet with the paper-forming mixture, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed before the step of forming the sheet. 
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material includes forming a sheet with the paper-forming mixture, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed after the step of forming the sheet. 
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material further includes drying the sheet, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed before drying the sheet. 
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 101 , wherein the step of producing the paper-based material further includes drying the sheet, and further wherein the step of adding the complementary polymer is performed after drying the sheet. 
     
     
         104 . The method of  claim 85 , wherein the step of functionalizing fibers comprises:
 emulsifying a complementary polymer with the amine-containing polymer in an aqueous solution;   adding the emulsion to the filler particles to cause attraction between the amine-containing polymer and the filler particles.   
     
     
         105 . The method of  claim 104 , wherein the complementary polymer is a hydrophobic polymer. 
     
     
         106 . The method of  claim 92 , wherein at least a portion of the fibers of the pulp are also functionalized by the amine-containing polymer. 
     
     
         107 . The method of  claim 106 , wherein at least a portion of the complementary polymer couples a portion of the pulp and a portion of the filler particles.