Recyclable cellulosic structure with metal ion treatment

Abstract

A cellulosic structure includes a cellulosic substrate comprises a network of cellulose fibers having hydroxy moieties and metal ions having a valency of at least three bonded to the hydroxy moieties of the cellulose fibers proximate at least one surface of the cellulosic substrate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cellulosic structure comprising:
 a cellulosic substrate comprises a network of cellulose fibers having hydroxy moieties; and   metal ions having a valency of at least three bonded to the hydroxy moieties of the cellulose fibers proximate at least one surface of the cellulosic substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the hydroxy moieties include hydroxyl (—OH) groups and carboxylic acid (—COOH) groups. 
     
     
         3 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the metal ions include at least one of aluminum (Al 3+ ) and iron (Fe 3+ ). 
     
     
         4 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic substrate is a cellulosic sheet substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 4 , wherein the metal ions are applied on at least one of a first major surface and a second major surface of the cellulosic sheet substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 4 , wherein the metal ions are applied on at least one edge of the cellulosic sheet substrate. 
     
     
         7 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 4 , wherein the metal ions are distributed throughout the cellulosic sheet substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more barrier layers applied to at least one major surface of the cellulosic substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The cellulosic structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic structure is recyclable. 
     
     
         10 . A method for manufacturing a cellulosic structure, the method comprising:
 preparing a cellulosic substrate comprising a network of cellulose fibers with hydroxy moieties; and   treating the cellulosic substrate with metal ions having a valency of at least three.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the hydroxy moieties include hydroxyl (—OH) groups and carboxylic acid (—COOH) groups. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the metal ions include at least one of aluminum (Al 3+ ) and iron (Fe 3+ ). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cellulosic substrate is a cellulosic sheet substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein treating the cellulosic substrate with metal ions having a valency of at least three includes introducing metal ions during the pulp preparation stage. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein treating the cellulosic substrate with metal ions having a valency of at least three includes adding metal ions during the sheet formation stage. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein treating the cellulosic substrate with metal ions having a valency of at least three includes applying metal ions as a surface treatment after sheet formation. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein treating the cellulosic substrate with metal ions having a valency of at least three includes treating the edges of the cellulosic structure with metal ions post-barrier layer application. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cellulosic structure is recyclable.