Nonaqueous solution deacidification treatments to prolong the storage life of acidic books: A review of mechanistic and process aspects

Abstract

According to published studies, certain nonaqueous solution-based treatments can be highly effective for prolonging the useful lives of bound volumes, within which the paper had been formed under acidic papermaking conditions. Such treatments, which typically use reactive alkoxide-based organometallic compounds dissolved in low-surfacetension liquids, have been shown to decrease the tendency of the paper to become brittle during long storage or during accelerated aging. This article reviews published evidence concerning the underlying mechanisms of such treatments. Evidence suggests that dissolved alkoxides and related carbonated alkoxide-based compounds are able to react directly with acidic species within acidic paper during treatment of books. Such reactions help explain the demonstrated effectiveness of nonaqueous solution-based deacidification treatments.

Regression Analysis of Orthogonal, Cylindrical and Multivariable Color Parameters for Colorimetric Surface pH Measurement of Materials

“…The colorimetric pH measurement can be used to measure the geometrical outer surfaces' pH. This information is important for an assessment of materials' quality and longevity [6,21,22]; quality testing and management systems of materials [23], biomaterials, natural polymer materials and products such as cellulose, wood, paper [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] and building materials [31]; as well as in medical applications, such as the testing of skin [32][33][34].…”

Water-Based Aerosol for Book Deacidification: Experimental Apparatus and Theoretical Interpretation of Results

“…The solvent seems to have a low penetration capacity into the paper fibers, and some white patina appears on the surface [ 2 , 21 , 23 , 24 ]; The “CSC Booksaver” method, developed in 2001, involves the use of n-propylated magnesium carbonate dispersed in heptafluoropentane. The volumes are first dehydrated and then impregnated with the deacidifying substance [ 20 , 25 ]; The “ZFB:2” method, devised in 2011, uses calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide dispersed in heptane. The volumes are not opened, and the process takes about four weeks [ 26 ]; The “Papersave” method from Battelle Ingenieurtechnik GmbH and the “Papersave Swiss” method use magnesium and titanium ethyloxides dissolved in hexa-dimethyl siloxane and provide good penetration and an alkaline reserve, reducing the degradation of cellulose with aging.…”

“…The “CSC Booksaver” method, developed in 2001, involves the use of n-propylated magnesium carbonate dispersed in heptafluoropentane. The volumes are first dehydrated and then impregnated with the deacidifying substance [ 20 , 25 ];…”

Extending the durability of old books by atomized deacidification and reinforcement treatments

“…The Battelle process can be regarded as a modified Wei T'o process that replaces MMMC by magnesium and titanium ethoxides and the freon solvent by hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDO) (Andres et al 2008). Besides, in early work at the British Library (Hon 1989;Hubbe et al 2018) methanol was used as a nonaqueous solvent, and Ba(OH)2 as the alkaline compound to extend the lifetime of paper. But methanol has been found to solubilize some ink components that might do harm to paper protection.…”

“…But methanol has been found to solubilize some ink components that might do harm to paper protection. The CSC Booksaver system, employing carbonated methyl propoxylate (CMP) in a propanol-fluorocarbon solvent mixture, became available in 2002 (Dupont et al 2002;Gibert Vives et al 2004;Wagner et al 2008;Henniges et al 2012;Hubbe et al 2018). The addition of magnesium ions catalyzes the acceleration of cellulose by iron and copper ions natural oxidation (Zeronian and Needles 1989;Kolar et al 2005).…”