Abstract: A series of emulsions of gelatin-grafted polymer were synthesized by polymerization of gelatin with acrylamide (AM) and methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium chloride (DMC) using oxidation-reduction initiator blended with non-ionic emulsifier and cationic emulsifier at different ratios.Effects of feeding method of monomers,kinds and dosages of emulsifiers on the reaction were studied in detail. The results showed that this emulsion could improve physical strength of wood pulp handsheets obviously when all monomers were added simultaneously. The optimum proportion of non-ionic emulsifier (OP) to cationic emulsifier (Y₁) m(OP):m(Y₁) was 2.5:7.5. Compared with the control sample, breaking length, tearing index,burst index and folding endurance were increased by 23.9%, 7.6%, 21.2% and 186%, respectively, when the dosage of emulsion was 1.0% ( based on o. d. pulp).

Key words: gelatin-grafted polymer, emulsion, emulsifier, strengthening agent, paper properties