Mechanisms of Aldehyde-Containing Paper Wet-Strength Resins

The ability of dextran (513 000 Da) with pendant acetaldehyde groups to increase the wet strength of filter paper was evaluated as a function of the aldehyde content, impregnation pH, and temperature. The impregnation of filter paper with dextran aldehyde increased the wet tensile strength. By contrast, neither dextran nor unhydrolyzed dextran acetal enhanced the wet paper strength. Drying of the impregnated sheets was a crucial step. …