Research!!!

Our group’s research is about the “The Effectiveness of Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Carbonate as Binding Agents in Papermaking”. The research project was a research proposal of Bernalene Vidal when we were still third years. Our aim is to be able to compare and see which of the binding agents named sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate can effectively and strongly hold the recycled newspapers

When we started with our research, we recycled the newspapers. First, we would cut the newspaper into about half an inch. After which, we soak them in plain water for it to be pulpy after a day or two. When the process of soaking is done, we get some of the soaked newspapers, we got the excess water on it and we pounded it. When it is already evenly pounded, we set it aside and continue pounding on the remaining newspapers. After all the papers are pounded, we weigh a kilo of it and place the binding agents sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate on each kilo of pounded paper. We mixed the paper and binding agents thoroughly and after which, we pour the mixture in the mold and deckle to form the paper. We get the excess water by using a sponge. After which, we put it under the heat of the sun. When it is already dry, we need to test the paper’s strength. We attach the paper at two ends of the clamp and then we put the weights one by one. When the paper breaks at a certain amount of weight, this means that the paper’s maximum load or weight sustainability is only limited to that amount of weights.

Our research study aims to help the companies in the paper industry to be able to know which binding agent is more efficient to use. It would also be useful because it is a way that we could lessen the cutting of trees as well as the bad things that may happen when we over cut trees which may lead to deforestation which can result to calamities like floods, landslides, mudslides and many more. By this study, we could also encourage everyone to recycle and not just throw our garbage.