Evaluation of the antioxidant potential for three essential oils on the properties of wood pulp paper

Purpose This study aims to determine the efficiency of three types of essential oils (EOs) as antioxidants on wood pulp paper samples: camphor oil, clove oil and lavender oil. Because of the detrimental influence of the oxidation process on wood pulp paper, this type of paper suffers significant disintegration. Design/methodology/approach The evaluation methodology is based on scanning electron microscope and three directions laser microscope, the hydrogen ion concentration measurement, color change measurement using the CIELAB system and infrared spectrum analysis, as well as investigating the mechanical properties of paper as represented by tensile and elongation to determine Young’s modulus values. Findings According to the findings, camphor was an effective antioxidant for paper samples, protecting them from the damaging effects of oxidation and the impact of artificial aging processes while also improving the mechanical properties of paper. Originality/value This paper emphasizes the concept of using environmentally friendly materials derived from EOs, owing to their ease of application, lack of environmental impact, distinctive properties, low cost and distinctive properties in both curative and preventive conservation of paper manuscripts.