Atomic force microscopic analysis of hydrogen peroxide bleached kraft northern black spruce fibres

Hydrogen peroxide is a potent, relatively inexpensive oxidant that chemically degrades chromophoric components in pulps and textiles. Oxidation of cellulose is a byproduct of this process step that decreases the tensile strength of individual fibres. The residence time of pulp in the bleaching reactor must be optimized to achieve the desired brightness and minimizing fibre degradation. To evaluate the impact of peroxide bleaching at the microfibrillar level, a single black spruce tree was chosen and kraft pulped. Peroxide bleaching was conducted via benchtop polyethylene bag bleaching in a temperature-controlled waterbath. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) topographical images acquired before and after the bleaching step show dramatic changes in fibre structure consistent with delignification and defects in the surface topography. This was further verified by X-ray work at Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY, U.S.A.