Preparation of cross-linking PVA copolymer modified by DAAM/ADH and application in paper surface sizing

Herein, a novel modified polyvinyl alcohol(DA-IPVA) used as sizing agent was prepared by using diacetone acrylamide(DAAM)/adipic dihydrazide(ADH) as graft monomer and N-(isobutoxymethyl)acrylamide(IBMA) as self-cross-linking monomer. The effect of the amount of DAAM on the properties of emulsion, film and sizing paper was discussed. The surface micro-structure of the sizing paper was characterized by SEM and AFM. The addition of DAAM/ADH and IBMA endowed DA-IPVA with cross-linked active group and increased cross-linking density and hydrophobicity after ADH was added into the emulsion and the cross-linking structure was formed. The enhancing mechanism of surface sizing agent for paper was revealed. The DA-IPVA can be cross-linked on the surface and inside of the paper to form a dense network structure, which improves the bonding force between the fibers. When the mole fraction of DAAM of the cross-linking monomer is 8%, the surface sizing performance of the paper is obviously improved compared with the base paper. The dry and wet strength is increased by 266.5% and 334.3% respectively, and the folding resistance is increased 2946.67%. This study can have a profound impact on the development of the technology of cross-linking surface sizing agent for paper.