Modifications of the mesoscopic structure of cellulose in paper degradation

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Dec 8;97(23):238001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.238001. Epub 2006 Dec 6.

Abstract

Paper is the main component of a huge quantity of cultural heritage. It is primarily composed of cellulose that undergoes significant degradation with the passage of time. By using small angle neutron scattering (SANS), we investigated cellulose's supramolecular structure, which allows access to degradation agents, in ancient and modern samples. For the first time, SANS data were interpreted in terms of water-filled pores, with their sizes increasing from 1.61 nm up to 1.97 nm in natural and artificially aged papers. The protective effect of gelatine sizing was also observed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cellulose / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Neutron Diffraction
  • Paper*
  • Scattering, Small Angle

Substances

  • Cellulose