Research on functional filter rod based on TEMPO oxidized fiber

CHE Jing; LI Xinxin; LI Zan; HAN Lei; LEI Shanshan; JIANG Jungang; ZHANG Yifan; WANG Lei

doi:10.12187/2025.05.014

Abstract：Combining the traditional papermaking process for reconstituted tobacco with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxide free radical(TEMPO)-mediated fiber oxidation technology,functional filter rods made from green and low-carbon plant fibers were prepared and applied to conventional cigarettes for sensory evaluation.The results showed that the optimal conditions for preparing the plant-fiber functional filter rods were as follows:a mass ratio of softwood fiber to acetate fiber of 8∶2,a TEMPO dosage of 0.01 mmol/g,and a beating degree of(25±2)°SR.Under these conditions,the filter rod base paper had a basis weight of 45 g/m2,a bulk of 2.88 cm3/g,an air permeability of 93 μm/(Pa·s),and a wet tensile index of 3.073 N·m/g.The coated plant-fiber functional filter rod cigarettes had a circumference,roundness,hardness,and pressure drop of about 24.14 mm,0.39 mm,87.2%,and 331 mm H2 O,respectively,all meeting the filter rod standards of cigarette enterprises(circumference:(24±0.20)mm,roundness:≤0.40 mm,hardness:≥82.0%,and pressure drop:(310±30)mm H2 O).Compared with traditional pure acetate filter rods,the total sensory evaluation score of cigarettes with coated plant-fiber functional filter rods differed slightly,with a decrease of only 2 points,while the release of harmful components in the mainstream smoke was significantly reduced.Therefore,the performance of the plant-fiber functional filter rods prepared in this study can meet the standard requirements,which opens up a new avenue for the development of green,low-carbon,biodegradable,and flavor-enhanced cigarette filter rods.