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Purpose: The main aim of this study is to study the effect of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride on removing stains, yellowness and harmful metal ions on historical printed paper, as well as the effect of this cleaner on optical and chemical properties of treated paper. Design/methodology/approach: The assessments after and before treatment were carried out using digital microscopy, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pH measurement, color change and finally scanning electron microscopy. Findings: The results showed that the concentrations used under study (1% and 3%) cleaned the paper efficiently without any observed effect on the chemical composition of cellulose, which was confirmed by IR spectra. The most stains that completely disappeared were the soil spots, also the pH values had improved significantly after treatment, which confirms that the detergent is effective in neutralizing the acidity of cellulose. Moreover, the color change revealed an increase in the chromatic lightness of the paper after treatment, which agreed with the results of the scanning electron microscopy examination, as the paper appeared free of dirt, and the fibers and bundles became more cohesive. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is a unique study, as there is no previous literature that has indicated the use of the effect of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride washing treatments for printed historical paper, as it was limited only to making disinfection materials and water purification products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to restore the lost mechanical properties of the prints with carrageenan, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (Tylose) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Methocel). Design/methodology/approach: The effect of these materials on the properties of the printed paper (modern and historical samples) has been evaluated under the influence of accelerated aging using pH measurement, the mechanical properties (tensile and elongation), FTIR and color changes. Findings: The three consolidates reduced the acidity of treated samples significantly, but after ageing, it was observed that the pH of aged treated samples decreased slightly as compared to the untreated samples. The results of the mechanical properties showed the superiority of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Methocel) in improving the tensile and elongation forces of the samples compared to carrageenan and methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose even during the accelerated aging. Consolidation materials succeeded in reducing ΔE of the paper samples under accelerated aging, especially carrageenan. The IR spectra confirmed that no dramatic difference was observed in topically function vibrations of samples after treatment beside that the O-H stretching band intensity increased observably after treatment with the three consolidates, after ageing the treatment, and it protected the treated paper from oxidation processes as the infrared spectrum analysis showed a decrease in intensities of carbonyl and carboxyl groups as compared to aged untreated samples. Originality/value: The research provides new biopolymers in strengthening the historical printed paper, where printed papers lack studies related to their conservation. This makes the current study a promising step for treating historical printed paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart, environmentally friendly alternatives, i.e., frankincense and rice starch, are recommended for usage in modern paper conservation processes during the re-sizing process treatments. Different concentrations of frankincense and rice starch were applied to paper samples before and after ageing. Multiple analysis methods were performed to ensure the effectiveness of these materials. Promising results were found, but at varying degrees according to the type and concentration of the materials. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that the frankincense particles were completely absorbed into the cell walls after ageing. Results indicated that there was no considerable change in pH before and after treatment or ageing; the best results for decreasing the acidity utilized a treatment with a mixture of frankincense and rice starch in a 2 to 1 ratio (F2S1). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy illustrated an increased CH2 region and decreased OH stretching as a result of the bonds formed from the starch and crystals formed by frankincense, which agreed with the increased coating and strength of the paper fibers. The total color change values of all the treated samples after ageing were less than 4.5. Frankincense was found to provide strength in supporting wood fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to identify the most common fungal species that grow on paper manuscripts and cause bio-deterioration. It also detects the impact of additive materials on fungal degrading and builds a wide database. Thus, it helps conservators understand this phenomenon. Design/methodology/approach: In total, 15 samples were collected from different paper manuscripts suffering from fungi. The achievement of the study objectives depends on using a variety of analyzes, such as a microbiological study, which indicated that three main fungi grew on the paper samples. Then, a digital microscope and an environmental scanning electron microscope were used to detect the effect of fungi on paper fibers. Fourier transform infrared microscopy was used to identify the binding medium and the X-ray diffraction method was used to measure the crystallinity index of cellulose of the paper samples. Findings: Arabic gum was used as a binder medium with the samples. Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus Fumigatus and Aspergillus Clavatus were the most common fungal species that grew on the Qur'an papers under investigation. They also caused much common damage to the paper samples. The results of the analyzes also showed that the highest crystallinity index of cellulose was in the samples that contained the lowest rate of fungal growth. Originality/value: This paper highlights the relationship between fungal degradation and the multi-component nature of paper manuscripts. It builds a wide database that correlates the composition and the degradation of the Qur'an papers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: What is the behavior of nano-polaroid in strengthening weak paper? What is the effect of adding nano-zinc oxide to nano-polaroid? This paper aims to answer these questions. Design/methodology/approach: A number of weak historical papers dating back to 1829 AD were treated with 2% of nano-polaroid and polaroid zinc oxide nanocomposites, respectively. After dryness, the samples were subjected to ultraviolet–ozone accelerated aging. Then, the effectiveness of the treatment was defined using the mechanical properties measurement, pH measurement, the chromatic change, scanning electron microscope investigation of the fibers surface and attenuated total reflectance analysis. Findings: Results revealed that N-polaroid strengthened the fiber surface without reducing the gloss of ink. With the loading of nano-zinc particles onto N-polaroid, the strengthening effect increased, especially after the aging processes where the tensile and elongation values reached the highest value. Not only this but also the nano-polaroid coated with ZnO NPs reduced the color change and yellowness during aging, where the ΔE value reached to 3.3 (an acceptable degree of change, not monitored by the naked eye). The acidity of the treated paper also decreased significantly after the treatment and the aging. The microscopic images detected the improvement of the fibers' structure where the fibers were swollen by the absorption of nanocomposites, which can be attributed to ZnO (NPs) that decreased the contact angle between the cellulose and the N-polaroid, which helped in filling the primary cells of fibers. Originality/value: The study addressed the reinforcement of the printed paper samples using nano-polaroid and ZnO polaroid nanocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research presents a new strategy for the treatment of degraded historical leather. Digital microscope, pH, FTIR and SEM analyses were used to evaluate the degradation of two leather bookbindings dated back to the fourteenth century. A conservation process was executed and included cleaning and the filling of holes according to a new recipe in the field of leather conservation containing leather powder, anhydrous cellulose, cellulose powder, acacia arabica, gelatin powder and clay nanoparticles. The new recipe was evaluated on modern leather samples before and after their accelerated ageing by monitoring any changes in their pH and colour, along with differential thermal analysis before the filler was applied to the historic leather. Results showed that the acidity of the leather remained in its natural state and the leather did not exhibit any oxidation nor hydrolysis. Moreover, the evaluation process for the new recipe suggested that it could be a promising material for the filling of losses to leather especially as it is thermally stable and shows consistency with the acidity of leather. Furthermore, the new fill material is easy to manipulate and shows no significant shrinkage or change to its colour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experimental study determined the thermal degradation stages for vegetable and chrome-tanned leathers (goat and sheep) at 90, 100, and 130 °C by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential thermal analysis. Infrared spectra revealed that a temperature of 90 °C affected the adsorbed water band at 3400 cm−1. Moreover, this temperature slightly reduced the vibrations of amide II and amid III (1340 cm−1) confirming the preliminary decomposition of protein folds, but it is worth noting that the aliphatic side chains remained stable at this stage of aging. At 100 °C, there was a sharp rupturing in the phenolic-OH bond and side-by-side N–H vibrations decreased dramatically. The peak decomposition occurred at 130 °C, where the amide I and amide III intensities significantly increased, which can be considered indicative of protein unfolding. Those changes are substantiation of protein denaturation. Thermal analysis demonstrated that thermal aging significantly reduced the required temperature for the process of oxidation. The oxidation occurred at 217 °C in goat sample aged at 90 °C. Nevertheless, the reference sample suffered from oxidation at about 220 °C, while with increasing aging temperatures (at 100 and 130 °C), endothermic reactions were observed. Such reactions are usually associated with protein denaturation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

The main goal of this study was to study and evaluate the effect of linseed oil and glycerine emulsion a surface treatment on appearance and chemical composition of archaeological leather samples, which were taken from a historical leather book binding back to 1858, 1653 & 1472 A.D, have been treated with linseed emulsion then a visual assessment, pH measurements, thermal analysis methods (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) study and mechanical properties determination were undertaken, to see if any significant structural or chemical differences could be detected between “untreated” and “treated” leather. No dramatic changes in functional groups on the leather surface, as monitored by infrared spectroscopy, occurred in the samples before and after treatment; pH values, however, show that emulation may give good results in decreasing the acidity of the treated leather. The emulsion enhanced thermal & mechanical properties of treated samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the nature of archaeological papyrus damage and monitoring the mechanics of damage caused by black inks to the chemical properties of ancient papyrus. Design/methodology/approach: This study the papyrus surface with a digital microscopy "USB," examination and analyzing by "Scanning Electron Microscope," characterization of black ink used in writing the ancient papyrus using "Scanning Electron Microscopy" with (EDX). Detection of changes in the chemical bonds of ancient papyrus samples by "Fourier transform infrared" FTIR. Findings: The result confirmed that SEM examination showed the organization of the parenchyma cells that make up papyrus tissue. Characteristic waveform appears, it indicates the ancient Egyptian manufacturer's use of the (Strips Method) in the process of manufacturing the archaeological papyrus. Also, the appearance of (Over Lapping) stacking of papyrus slides. EDX analysis showed that the black ink used to write the papyrus was (Carbon Ink). High oxygen content in the papyrus sample analysis indicates deterioration of the cellulose fibers. FTIR spectrum showed that Arabic gum is the bonding material for carbon ink particles, it also showed that archaeological papyrus suffers from hydrolysis due to exposure of papyrus fibers to high moisture content or direct water, resulting in smudge, bleeding and fading of carbon ink on the archaeological papyrus support. Originality/value: The study is archaeological papyrus with black ink scripts from the excavation of the Qasr I brim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the pigments, mediums and ground layer used during the late era of ancient Egyptian civilization through the analysis of mummy Cartonnage based on the use of multiple analysis, such as electron microscopy, X-rays, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Design/methodology/approach: This study analyzed some fragments from a painted cartonnage of a mummy date back to the late period. Light microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, FTIR analysis and investigation of the surface morphology by SEM were used to identify the chemical and anatomical structure of cartonnage. Findings: The results clearly showed use of copper and extracted gold from the veins of the quartz to get the golden pigment, but it is full of voids which were a major cause of the degradation. Originality/value: The study is the first of its kind on the components of this cartonnage in Saqqara stores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron gall ink (IGI) was the most common writing ink for centuries, meanwhile one of the major responsible factors for paper degradation. Corrosive constituents are responsible for acid hydrolysis and metalcatalyzed oxidation. The study proposes a new stabilization treatment using two aquatic plants biomass. Handmade biomass interleaving paper (BIP) was produced from duckweed Lemna gibba L. Lemnaceae (L. gibba) and water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (E. crassipes).The produced BIP offered a promising synergy of deacidification and stabilization of model and historical samples. The treatment impact was evaluated on thermally aged and on post treated model inked paper using pH measurement, Fe2+detection and colorimetry. Moreover, removal capacity of corrosive metal ions; Zn2+, Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, and Pb2+was assessed. The BIP biosorption and preference of corrosive transition metals were evaluated using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and combined scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). All produced BIP absorbed transition metals in different concentrations, particularly L-BIP treatment gave the maximum removal of corrosive metals after treatment for 24 h in the order Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]