A comparative study on the inhibition of fungal attack on paper manuscripts via AgNPs- and TiO2NPs@AgNPs-loaded cellulose acetate membranes

Purpose This study aims to develop a way to inhibit fungal attacks on paper manuscripts, as fungi are a major deterioration factor that causes aesthetic appearance and fragility degradation using fungal inhibitors including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs). Design/methodology/approach In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) doped with AgNPs (TiO2NPs@AgNPs) were produced and combined with cellulose acetate solution before membrane production. Thus, two distinct cellulose acetate (CA) membranes were created: AgNPs-loaded CA membranes (CAAg) and TiO2NPs@AgNPs-loaded CA membranes (CATAg). The fabricated membrane was applied to paper samples using cotton fibers containing ink or free of ink. Findings The findings revealed that these nanoparticles (AgNPs and TiO2NPs@AgNPs) have a distinct shape, small size and high stability. Furthermore, once loaded onto the CA membrane, such nanoparticles might suppress fungal assault on the surface of paper samples. According to the analysis and the acquired results, the CAAg membrane was the best material to use without affecting the paper’s properties. Originality/value This paper provides a novel approach for inhibiting the fungal attacks on paper manuscripts without affecting the paper properties by using membranes from cellulose acetate loaded onto nanoparticles as inhibitors.