A colloidal probe microscopy study of cellulose/gypsum interactions

Drywall, which is made primarily of a calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) core with paper on both sides, is one of the most widely used construction materials. Because board failure often occurs at the gypsum core/paper interface, it has become important to know the exact nature of the gypsum/cellulose bond and how crystal morphology affects it. This study provides data about the nature of this interaction by means of AFM and Colloidal Probe Microscopy. These methods made it possible to distinguish among the different crystal faces and their respective interactions with cellulose. Measured in air, the adhesive forces between the AFM tip and the different faces varied according to f(010) < f(120) < f(111) at 50% relative humidity. The differences in adhesive force with the different gypsum crystals face can be attributed to the differences in surface chemistry. The information obtained in this study will help guide improvements in the gypsum wallboard production process to obtain better bonding between the crystal and the paper.