Copolymers carrying photoreactive benzophenone functionalities in different molar ratios have been synthesized, tested and proved to be interesting candidates for increasing paper wet strength. Wet strengthening was realized via crosslinking of the photoreactive copolymers within the paper sheet by exposure to UV light of 254 nm or 365 nm wavelength, respectively. Already adding 1% copolymer to a 80 g/m� handsheet (related to dry fiber mass) results in a significant increase of wet tensile strength regardless of the content of photoreactive groups within the copolymer ranging from 0.5% to 2%. The intensity of UV exposure, which determines the rate of excitement of photoreactive groups within the polymer and therefore the rate of crosslinking of polymer showed to be an important parameter. The investigated copolymer showed similar efficiency with respect to wet strength as well as dry strength compared to commercial polyamidoamine - epichlorohydrin (PAAE) resins.

Modulation of mechanical paper properties by application of photo cross-linkable polymers

245th National Meeting (2013)

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