Abstract

Chips of Norway spruce have been impregnated with Na2SO3 and refined at two specific energy consumptions levels at full mill scale. The optical properties of thermomechanical pulps (TMPs) obtained were analyzed in terms of brightness, light scattering, opacity, and autofluorescence by spectral imaging. Even at low sulfite dosage (0.24% sulfite by dry weight) light absorption was reduced, and the brightness was elevated, and a clear dose-response effect was observed. Two-photon spectral imaging (TPSI) showed that sulfonation, impregnation, and refining affect the fluorescence properties differently. Compared to native wood, both processed wood chips and pulp fibers revealed blue-shifted fluorescence maxima, a characteristic of shortened conjugated systems. Two sub-populations of fibers with different optical properties were observed, and the fluorescence of one fiber population was red shifted.

Keywords

microscopy; optical properties; pulp; refining, spectral imaging; sulfonation; two-photon excitation; wood

Published in

Holzforschung
2012, volume: 66, number: 7, pages: 817-824
Publisher: WALTER DE GRUYTER & CO

Authors' information