AKD emulsions stabilized by guar gel: a highly efficient agent to improve cellulose paper hydrophobicity

Abstract To improve the sizing efficiency of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), we obtained AKD emulsions (AKDEs) stabilized by guar gel prepared by hydrogen bond cross-linking sodium tetraborate and guar gum in this work. The cross-linking was confirmed by combining FTIR and SEM. The effect of guar gel on the performance of the AKDEs were also studied by testing AKDEs stabilized by different guar gel concentrations. The results showed that with increasing guar gel concentration, the stability of the AKDEs improved, the droplet diameter decreased, and the hydrophobicity and water resistance of the sized cellulose paper were gradually enhanced. Through SEM, the guar gel film covering the AKDE droplet surface and the three-dimensional structure in the aqueous dispersion phase were assessed. This study constructed a scientific and efficient preparation method for AKDEs and provided a new method for the application of carbohydrate polymer gels.