Preparation of thermally-acidic aged paper samples for future studies on treating the weakness and acidity of paper manuscripts

Purpose The study aims to examine the structural, chemical and physical properties of paper samples subjected to artificial acid and thermal aging. The goal is to create aged paper for testing eco-friendly materials for the consolidation and deacidification of historical documents in future research. Design/methodology/approach The samples were subjected to an accelerated aging cycle and analyzed using various techniques. These included visual assessment, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine surface morphology, UV spectrophotometry for color changes, pH measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) to measure paper crystallinity and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to study the chemical stability of the paper samples. Findings The study found that the paper samples showed signs of deterioration as a result of aging. Microscopic examination revealed alterations in surface texture and cellulose fibers. There were noticeable changes in color values and total color difference (ΔE), as well as a decrease in pH levels. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated a reduction in cellulose crystallinity, while ATR-FTIR analysis showed changes in functional groups. Overall, the aging process affected the paper’s physical and chemical characteristics, resulting in increased brittleness, weakness and acidity. Originality/value This research provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex aging behavior resulting from artificial acid and thermal aging cycles and helps identify important parameters and processes that can significantly improve methodologies for the optimal conservation of paper-based cultural heritage.