## 3 Results and Discussion
### Handmade Paper Characterization
#### 3.2.2 Mechanical Characteristics of the Paper Samples
However, the introduction of filler can potentially decrease the strength of a paper sheet. This reduction in strength can be attributed to the disruption of contact between fibers and a decrease in the number of hydrogen bonds within the cellulose network [94]. Therefore, introducing a mineral filler into paper should be carefully regulated based on the consumer properties the final product needs to meet. Balancing the need for increased filler content while maintaining satisfactory mechanical properties is crucial in achieving the desired performance characteristics of the paper product. The observation that the tensile strength of paper after alkali treatment is significantly superior to that of paper after bleaching suggests that alkaline treatment not only enhances the quality of cellulose fibers by removing lignin and a portion of hemicellulose but also preserves their mechanical integrity. On the other hand, bleaching, despite increasing the alpha-cellulose content, may have a negative impact on the strength properties because of potential damage to the fibers. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Sample** & \(\rho\)**, g/cm3** & **W/Moisture Content, \%** & **X, \%** & **Thickness, mm** & **Fracture Strength** & **Tensile Strength, kPa** \\ \hline Alkali-treated & 0.436 & 5.6 & 38.87 & 0.41 & 40 & 542.25 \\ \hline Bleached & 0.549 & 2.51 & 37.38 & 0.5 & 3 & 262.09 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 2: Physical and strength characteristics of handmade paper samples. This finding aligns with previous studies [95] indicating that bleaching with more aggressive reagents can result in lower mechanical properties because of the decomposition of polysaccharides in cellulose. Therefore, the choice of bleaching method and reagents should be carefully considered to ensure the preservation of mechanical strength while achieving the desired level of cellulose purity. As previously mentioned, using pulp derived from grass clippings in conjunction with long-fiber pulp sourced from raw wood materials can enhance the structure and drainage of paper, elevate opacity, augment density and smoothness, decrease air permeability, and boost bulk density. Additionally, incorporating barium sulfate as a mineral filler presents a promising alternative for enhancing the filling of the paper web. The findings of this study underscore the importance of adopting environmentally friendly and cost-effective strategies to enhance the mechanical and structural performance of handcrafted paper products. More precise control over fiber dispersion and sheet thickness during casting could yield improvements in the mechanical and strength properties of the paper. Looking ahead, both the paper and untreated grass could serve as valuable starting materials for synthesizing various nanomaterials with diverse applications. For instance, they could be used to produce different types of nanocellulose structures (nanocrystalline or nanofibrillar), which find extensive use in filtration [96] energy-related applications [97], and various other fields [98; 99; 100; 101].