Functionalization of paper surfaces by modified galactoglucomannans

In this study, native galactoglucomannans (GGMs), cationized GGMs, or iminated GGMs were either sprayed on top of an already formed wet sheet or sorbed to fibres from a solution. The resulting papers (spray addition) and fibre pads (sorption) were analyzed with ToF-SIMS, FE-SEM, and FTIR. Using ToF-SIMS, it was possible to obtain characteristic signals for the GGM derivatives. The iminated GGMs were found to create a film on the fibre network when sprayed onto the paper, whereas the unmodified GGMs and cationized GGMs also penetrated through the paper. In the fibre pads, the iminated GGMs changed the surface morphology compared to native or cationized GGMs. Spraying of mannans onto the fibre network was shown to be an efficient method with less mannans needed to obtain effects similar to sorption from a solution.