Stabilization of ASA-in-water emulsions by Laponite modified with alanine

Alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) is an oily paper sizing agent that is generally introduced into the paper manufacturing system as an ASA-in-water emulsion. In this paper, ASA-in-water emulsions are prepared by homogenizing the mixture of ASA and aqueous dispersion of Laponite modified with alanine. The modification of Laponite with alanine reduces the emulsion droplet size, and enhances the emulsion stability against coalescence due to lowering the interfacial tension between ASA and water containing Laponite and improving the affinity of Laponite particles toward ASA. Infrared spectrum analysis indicates that the adsorption of alanine on the Laponite particles retards the hydrolysis of ASA when the alanine-modified particles are employed to stabilize ASA emulsions. Meanwhile, the sizing efficiency of the as-prepared ASA emulsion is also improved by the modification of Laponite with alanine, and more dependent on emulsion droplet size than on the hydrolysis of ASA.