Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property Analysis
This study examines the potential of four invasive plant species, both arboreal and herbaceous, within the riparian forest of the Umia River in Galicia, a common ecosystem in northern Spain. These invasive species (<i>Arundo donax</i>, <i>Phytolacca americana</i>, <i>Eu...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/20/11568 |
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| author | Antía Iglesias Ángeles Cancela Ana Soler Baena Ángel Sánchez |
| author_facet | Antía Iglesias Ángeles Cancela Ana Soler Baena Ángel Sánchez |
| author_sort | Antía Iglesias |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examines the potential of four invasive plant species, both arboreal and herbaceous, within the riparian forest of the Umia River in Galicia, a common ecosystem in northern Spain. These invasive species (<i>Arundo donax</i>, <i>Phytolacca americana</i>, <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i>, and <i>Tradescantia fluminensis)</i> were collected and assessed for their suitability as an alternative source of pulp and paper materials for the paper industry to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with conventional cellulose fiber production from harmful monocultures. Cellulosic material from leaves, bark, and/or stems of each of the selected species was isolated from lignin and hemicelluloses through kraft pulping processes. Resulted fibers and pulps were analyzed visually, morphologically, chemically, and mechanically to evaluate their papermaking properties. To compare these properties with those of commercially available pulp, test sheets were concurrently produced using commercial bleached Eucalyptus cellulose. The findings reveal that the employed fibers exhibit promising characteristics for artistic paper production. Regarding the pulp, two refining times were tested in a PFI machine, and the Schopper–Riegler degree was measured. Paper sheets underwent various tests to determine thickness, basis weight, apparent volume, apparent density, permeability, and chemical composition, as well as microscopic optical and morphological properties. The fibers obtained from the waste derived from the removal of invasive exotic species and biodiversity control present a viable and intriguing alternative for decentralized paper production, yielding noteworthy results for the creative sector. This research highlights the potential of harnessing invasive species for sustainable and innovative paper manufacturing practices. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:27:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0284b6b9fe804a5cbe0e9c1a5b4b1f11 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:27:01Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-0284b6b9fe804a5cbe0e9c1a5b4b1f112023-11-19T15:34:07ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-10-0113201156810.3390/app132011568Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property AnalysisAntía Iglesias0Ángeles Cancela1Ana Soler Baena2Ángel Sánchez3Dx5 Digital and Graphic Art Research, Department of Draw, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Vigo, 36002 Pontevedra, SpainChemical Engineering Department, Forestry Engineering School, University of Vigo, 36005 Pontevedra, SpainDx5 Digital and Graphic Art Research, Department of Draw, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Vigo, 36002 Pontevedra, SpainChemical Engineering Department, Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, SpainThis study examines the potential of four invasive plant species, both arboreal and herbaceous, within the riparian forest of the Umia River in Galicia, a common ecosystem in northern Spain. These invasive species (<i>Arundo donax</i>, <i>Phytolacca americana</i>, <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i>, and <i>Tradescantia fluminensis)</i> were collected and assessed for their suitability as an alternative source of pulp and paper materials for the paper industry to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with conventional cellulose fiber production from harmful monocultures. Cellulosic material from leaves, bark, and/or stems of each of the selected species was isolated from lignin and hemicelluloses through kraft pulping processes. Resulted fibers and pulps were analyzed visually, morphologically, chemically, and mechanically to evaluate their papermaking properties. To compare these properties with those of commercially available pulp, test sheets were concurrently produced using commercial bleached Eucalyptus cellulose. The findings reveal that the employed fibers exhibit promising characteristics for artistic paper production. Regarding the pulp, two refining times were tested in a PFI machine, and the Schopper–Riegler degree was measured. Paper sheets underwent various tests to determine thickness, basis weight, apparent volume, apparent density, permeability, and chemical composition, as well as microscopic optical and morphological properties. The fibers obtained from the waste derived from the removal of invasive exotic species and biodiversity control present a viable and intriguing alternative for decentralized paper production, yielding noteworthy results for the creative sector. This research highlights the potential of harnessing invasive species for sustainable and innovative paper manufacturing practices.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/20/11568paper and pulp manipulationinvasive alien species wastephysic-mechanical propertiespaper industrycircular economysustainability |
| spellingShingle | Antía Iglesias Ángeles Cancela Ana Soler Baena Ángel Sánchez Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property Analysis Applied Sciences paper and pulp manipulation invasive alien species waste physic-mechanical properties paper industry circular economy sustainability |
| title | Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property Analysis |
| title_full | Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property Analysis |
| title_short | Characterization of Cellulose Derived from Invasive Alien Species Plant Waste for Application in the Papermaking Industry: Physic-Mechanical, Optical, and Chemical Property Analysis |
| title_sort | characterization of cellulose derived from invasive alien species plant waste for application in the papermaking industry physic mechanical optical and chemical property analysis |
| topic | paper and pulp manipulation invasive alien species waste physic-mechanical properties paper industry circular economy sustainability |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/20/11568 |
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