Additives for papermaking

Abstract

The invention is directed to systems for papermaking comprising a first population of fibers dispersed in an aqueous solution and complexed with an activator, and a second population of composite additive particles bearing a tethering material, wherein the addition of the second population to the first population attaches the composite additive particles to the fibers. The invention also encompasses methods for manufacturing a paper product.

1 . A system for papermaking, comprising:
 a first population of fibers dispersed in an aqueous solution and complexed with an activator, and a second population of composite additive particles bearing a tethering material,   wherein the addition of the second population to the first population attaches the composite additive particles to the fibers by the interaction of the activator and the tethering material.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first population comprises cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first population comprises synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite additive particles comprise a particle selected from the group of a PCC particle, a TiO2 particle, a magnetic particle, and a silver colloid particle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite additive particles comprise a latex component and a starch component. 
     
     
         6 . An oil and/or grease resistant paper product, comprising:
 the system of  claim 1 , wherein the composite additive particles comprise a hydrophobic starch, and   an oil and/or grease-resistant coating.   
     
     
         7 . A method for manufacturing a paper product, comprising:
 activating a first population of fibers in a liquid medium with an activator,   forming a second population of composite additive particles,   treating the second population with a tethering material to form tether-bearing composite additive particles, wherein the tethering material is capable of interacting with the activator,   adding the second population to the activated population of fibers to form a treated paper matrix, and   forming the treated paper matrix to manufacture the paper product.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first population comprises cellulosic fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first population comprises synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composite additive particles comprise a particle selected from the group of a PCC particle, a TiO2 particle, a magnetic particle, and a silver colloid particle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the composite additive particles comprise a latex component and a starch component. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 adding an oil and/or grease resistant coating to the paper matrix, wherein the paper matrix comprises tether-bearing composite additive particles that comprise a hydrophobic starch.