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Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of acidity on the morphology of archeological paper, especially in the presence of colors and whether natural pigments play a role in the process of degradation.Design/methodology/approach The morphological changes in the cellulosic fibers of the manuscripts because of acidity were investigated using environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). Ten historical samples were collected from different manuscripts suffering from acidity. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the inks and pigments that were used in some samples. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared microscopy was used to identify the binding medium.Findings The results confirmed that carbon ink, ultramarine, cinnabar and gold pigments were applied to some manuscripts with Arabic gum. As for ESEM investigation, the results proved that acidity badly affected the integrity of the cellulosic fibers resulting in their embrittlement. The micrographs showed differences in fiber degradation according to pH value. The presence of inks and pigments increased the degradation extent resulting from acidity.Originality/value This paper addresses a specific need to study the behavior of degradation in paper manuscripts, thus helping the conservators find solutions to the phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The manuscript studied here dates to 19th century, and consists of paper pages and leather bookbinding. This study aims to use analytical techniques in order to identify the components of the manuscript and to explain its deterioration process. Visual assessment, isolation and identification of fungi, pH measurements, and investigation of the surface morphology by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to explain paper and leather deterioration. X-ray diffraction with EDAX, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and chemical analysis were used to identify pigments, binder of pigments, ash, lignin, and the α-cellulose content of papers. The shrinkage temperature measurement was used to explain the deterioration process of leather. SEM was used to identify the type of animal skin used for the bookbinding and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to identify the vegetable tanning material used with the bookbinding. The results revealed that the ink used was a mixture of carbon with iron gall. The pigments used on the paper were gold leaf or gold shell, cobalt oxide, and mercuric sulfide for the gold, blue and red colors respectively. Sodium chloride was the main salt crystallized on the surface of paper. Calcium carbonate was the filler used in the paper making process. Cotton fibers may have been used as a raw material in the creation of paper. The values of the shrinkage temperature and pH were lower than in normal conditions, indicating that the leather bookbinding suffers from deterioration. Aspergillus sp., and Penicillium sp. were the most dominant fungi found on the manuscript. Goat skin was identified as the animal skin of the bookbinding, and Acacia Arabica was identified the tanning material used with the bookbinding. The condition of the manuscript studied with its components play an important role in its deterioration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The XOAZRP TCF sequence was applied to bleach wheat straw pulp. Following each bleaching stage, the properties of the pulp (viz. kappa number, standard viscosity, borohydride viscosity and brightness) and of the resulting effluents were determined. The performance of the reagents was analyzed through the studies of xylanase treatment and crystallinity and scanning electron microscopy of the pulps. Finally, the pulp was refined at 1000 revolutions in a PFI mill and the mechanical properties of the resulting paper were determined and compared with those of paper from a eucalyptus pulp. Despite its shortcomings, wheat straw pulp can be effectively bleached with the proposed TCF sequence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]