Abstract: Systems and methods for attaching particulate additives to a population of cellulose fibers dispersed in an aqueous solution are described. The cellulose fibers are treated with an activator that forms complexes with them. The particulate additive is attached to a tether that is capable of interacting with the activator, thereby forming a tether-bearing particulate additive. The tether-bearing particulate additive can be added to the activated suspension of cellulose fibers. The resulting interaction between the tether and the activator forms durable complexes that attach the particulate additive to the cellulose fibers. Using these systems and methods, useful additives like starches can be attached to cellulose fibers, imparting advantageous properties such as increased strength to paper products formed thereby. These systems and methods are particularly useful for papermaking involving virgin pulp fibers, recycled fibers, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Debonding compositions and methods are disclosed for use in fibrous compositions such as paper-based products. In some instances, debonding agents can be combined with fibers (e.g., cellulose-based fibers) to produce a material having substantial wicking properties while decreasing fiber-fiber interactions that can require substantial energy to overcome in materials processing. In some instances, the debonding agent can act to create a paper-based product exhibiting a transition temperature in which the agent has a higher affinity for the fibers at temperatures above the transition temperature, and the product exhibiting enhaced wicking properties at temperatures below the transition temperature. As an example, a debonding agents can include polymers or other material exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature. The disclosed debonding agents can provide benefits over existing debonding agent formulations such as ammonium salts.