A Simple Method of Simultaneously Endowing Paper or Fluff Pulp With Both High Softness or Appropriate Fluffing Properties and Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract As the living standard improve, disposable sanitary and living paper requires not only softness or easy to fluff in a dry state, but also good antibacterial property. In this study, a series of alkyl quaternary ammonium salts (AQAS), a kinds of antibacterial-debonding agents, were synthesized by using a two-step process. The SN2 nucleophilic substitution reaction was designed between triethanolamine and sulfoxide chloride, and followed subsequent quaternization by tertiaryamines with different long alkyl chains. The obtained products can be used as an antibacterial and softening/debonding agent for improving the performance of paper or fluff pulp. The results showed that these new compounds can endow antibacterial function and high softness to paper or control appropriate burst strength to fluff pulp board. These AQAS products can be not only used in daily disposable sanitary products, but also have potential applications in other products such as glass spacer paper, advanced household paper, or antibacterial tissue products to prevent microbial contamination.