PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES AND INFRARED-SPECTROSCOPY OF THERMALLY TREATED BAGASSE PAPER SHEETS

Effect of thermal treatment on the physical properties of bagasse paper sheets is studied. IR spectra as well as dielectric properties of these heated sheets are also investigated. Crystallinity index-CrI (a 1430/a900) is found to decrease by increasing temperature up to 160-degrees-C, beyond which CrI is found to increase. Also quality number, degree of polymerization (DP) and absorption of amorphous band (a 900) increases up to 160-degrees-C and subsequently their values show a downward trend. A correlation between the physical properties and spectroscopic data gave more information about the molecular structural changes due to thermal treatment of bagasse paper sheets. Results of the dielectric study of thermally treated bagasse pulp sheets are interpreted according to the quality number and crystallinity index measurements.