The surface modification of papermaking fillers with compounds that promote a better
bonding with the cellulosic fibres is nowadays one of the strategies used to increase the
filler content in paper without sacrificing the mechanical properties. In this study
precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) was surface coated with
poly(diallyldimethylammonium) using the layer-by-layer deposition method with
alginate as an intermediate bonding polyelectrolyte. The deposition of small amounts of
both polyelectrolytes at the surface of PCC was confirmed by different techniques,
namely by zeta potential measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The
filler particles coated with two layers (one layer of each polyelectrolyte) and with six
layers (three alternating layers of each anionic and cationic polyelectrolyte) were used
in laboratory papermaking tests. It was observed that the handsheets mechanical
resistances were better with the six-layer coated PCC than with the reference PCC
whereas the optical properties were not significantly affected. It is therefore possible to
increase the filler content in paper using a new PCC-based filler obtained by a cheap
and simple modification method.