Date of Award

6-2014

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Chemical and Paper Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Margaret K. Joyce

Second Advisor

Dr. Jan Pekarovic

Third Advisor

Dr. Brian Young

Fourth Advisor

Charles Klass

Keywords

Titanium dioxide, coating, nanoparticles, nanosilicates, Ti02

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

This research focused on the evaluation of a new Silica-based pigment for the replacement of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in paperboard coatings. The silica-based pigment has shown the ability to be a replacement in terms of functionality and runnability. TiO2 is currently the highest opacifying pigment used in paper coatings, but it is also the most costly. Finding a less expensive pigment that doesn't reduce effectiveness is critical to reducing the cost of TiO2 formulations. To evaluate the new pigment, coatings will be applied using a Cylindrical Laboratory Coater (CLC) with varying amounts of TiO2 and silicate nanofibers to a paperboard substrate. Tests including appearance, mottle, smoothness, gloss and other physical properties will be tested to see if they are affected upon replacement of TiO2.

Upon evaluation of the results, at low to medium replacements of TiO2 with silicate nanofiber particles, there was little effect on most of the properties tested. This indicates that it is feasible to replace the TiO2, since the quality of the coated paperboard wouldn't be significantly reduced. Therefore, the cost savings associated with replacing the more expensive TiO2 pigment with a pigment that is 1/8 the cost would be financially beneficial.

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