Surface modification of PCC with guar gum using organic titanium ionic crosslinking agent and its application as papermaking filler

• PCC was modified with guar gum (GG) by using organic titanium (OT).
• Formation mechanism of modified PCC (MPCC) was proposed.
• Strengths of handsheets were improved when using MPCC as papermaking filler.
• Optimum preparation conditions of MPCC were: 0.75% GG, 1.5% OT, 80 °C, and 60 min.

Utilized the principles of guar gum (GG) gelation and crosslinking, a novel modified precipitated calcium carbonate (MPCC) papermaking filler was prepared by using organic titanium (OT) ionic crosslinking agent. The MPCC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR results confirmed that GG had been coated on the surface of PCC particles, XPS analysis indicated the presence of titanium atoms on MPCC particles, and SEM and XRD results showed that the modification treatment did change the surface morphology and crystal structure of PCC particles. The handsheet testing results showed that the strength properties of handsheets were obviously improved when using MPCC as papermaking filler, and the optimum preparation conditions of MPCC were obtained. This research suggests that the GG modified PCC by using OT as crosslinking agent can be used to manufacture high filler content paper products.