Characterization of fibers after xylanase and modified laccase-glutamate system biobleaching of old newsprint pulp

The macroscopic and microscopic properties of old newsprint pulp with xylanase, MLac/Glu (modified laccase-glutamate system), and X-MLac/Glu (xylanase synergistic modified laccase-glutamate system) pretreatment was investigated by means of fiber quality measurements (FQA), attenuated total reflectance-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), headspace gas chromatography (HSGC), X-ray diffract ion method (XRD), Low-temperature nitrogen absorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that, compare with the control pulp, the brightness and lightness ( L ∗ ) of hydrogen peroxide bleached pulp after X-MLac/Glu pretreatment increased by 5.86 % ISO and 3.58 %, respectively. FQA analysis revealed that coarseness and fine fiber content increased slightly. The content of carboxyl groups and water retention value increased remarkably by 31.11 % and 39.22 %, respectively. The paper physical analysis showed that the paper strength properties have improved significantly. The crystallinity of cellulose decreased by 3.82 % due to X-MLac/Glu pretreatment. ATR-IR analysis indicated some non-cellulose components are removed. The BJH average pore size and BET specific surface area increased after enzyme pretreatment. The SEM analysis showed that through X-MLac/Glu treatment the fiber surface becomes rough and the connections between the fibers become tighter, more fibrils appeared.