Characterization of recycled waste papers treated with starch/organophosphorus-silane biocomposite flame retardant

Abstract In this study we have recycled two types of waste papers, newspapers and magazines, to prepare paperboard sheets for multipurpose applications. The recycling procedure succeeded in removing most of inorganic contaminants via de-inking process. To enhance the flame retardant ability of paperboard sheets, treatment with varying concentrations (1, 3 and 5 % wt/vol) of organophosphorus-silane compound in the absence and presence of starch (0.2 % wt/vol) was done. The thermal proofing properties of paperboard sheets have been modified after treatment with organophosphorus-silane compound and starch/organophosphorus-silane biocomposite. The results showed that, 3 % (wt/vol) was the minimum concentration to accomplish fire retardancy of paperboard sheets. The addition of starch to the organophosphorus-silane compound enhances the physicomechanical properties of modified paperboard sheets. The paperboard sheets treated organophosphorus-silane compound and starch/organophosphorus-silane biocomposite showed dissimilar activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Various analyses were performed to study the physical, chemical, mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared paperboard sheets.