Effect of electron beam irradiation on China traditional paper

Microbial deterioration poses a significant threat to the preservation of traditional Chinese papers. Conventional physical disinfection methods have proven ineffective, and chemical treatments carry potential risks to both human health and the environment. In this context, radiation technology emerges as a promising alternative due to its superior disinfection efficiency. This study examines five varieties of traditional Chinese paper: Xuan paper 1, Xuan paper 2, Bamboo paper 1, Bamboo paper 2, and Bark paper. Following electron beam irradiation, we evaluated tensile strength, polymerization, and color change in both fresh and aged samples. Our results indicate that while irradiation treatment has minor effects on tensile strength and color variability, it significantly reduces the degree of polymerization. In contrast, accelerated aging treatment negatively impacts nearly all parameters. Consequently, we propose that irradiation treatment exerts minimal influence on traditional paper, suggesting it could serve as an effective sterilization method for artifact preservation.