Paper deacidification and preservation using zinc aluminium and titanium oxides atomic layer deposition

Abstract

Preservation of historical heritage for future generation is an important part of the modern world. Most the centuries, knowledges of humanity were recorded on the papers, and cellulose paper being an organic material has its durability limits. In this thesis research work, paper deacidification with the use of zinc, aluminium, and titanium oxides was studied, where the coating was performed by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Major analytical efforts were directed on the observation of zinc oxide due to its positive dynamics in paper deacidification, which was reviewed in previous studies and proved practically in Laboratory of Green Chemistry, Lappeenranta University of Technology. Samples were received from National Library of Finland, which had an evident acidic degradation. Methods to analyse the condition of the samples before and after the treatment were performed by determination of pH value by contact and TAPPI standard T-509 methods, examination of hydrophobic properties measured by contact angle (CA), elasticity of the paper by folding test, and observation of the paper fibre structure by SEM. Ecotoxicological profile of diethyl zinc and zinc oxide was studied. According to received results, deposition of zinc oxide by ALD has positive effects for paper deacidification.