UTILIZATION OF CA(OH)2 NANOPARTICLES IN PAPER DEACIDIFICATION

Deacidification is a process used for increasing pH value of papers in archives and libraries. Acidic paper thanks to acid hydrolysis of cellulose macromolecule becomes brittle over time, which is a very unwished change. Several technologies of deacidification process have been developed usually using solutions or particles with several micrometers size. Utilization of nanoparticles can increase the deacidification ability with less color influence on deacidified paper. In this paper, the utilization of Ca(OH)(2) nanoparticles for deacidification will be described. Different types of Ca(OH)(2) nanoparticles were prepared and characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. The nanoparticles were prepared by reaction of calcium chloride solution with sodium hydroxide solution with at room temperature, in ultrasonic bath, with addition of alcohol and at elevated temperature (80 degrees C). Also one type of commercially available nanoparticles suspension was tested. Consequently, ethanol suspension of these particles way sprayed on paper (acid wood paper and reference Wattman paper). It was proven that the distribution of Ca(OH)(2) nanoparticles is homogenous on the paper surface. The pH value of paper has increased after deacidification with all tested nanoparticles type. Mechanical testing has proven significant increase of mechanical properties of deacidified paper. Our results show that the smallest particles (with size of 50 nm) exhibit the best effectiveness of deacidification process.