Conservation of aged paper using reduced cellulose nanofibrils/aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified CaCO₃ particles...

Deacidification and strengthening play pivotal roles in the enduring conservation of aged paper. In this study, we innovatively propose the use of reduced cellulose nanofibrils (rCNFs) and aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified CaCO₃ (APTES-CaCO₃) for preserving aged paper. The sodium borohydride-mediated reduction of cellulose nanofibrils diminished the carboxylate content and O/C mass ratio in rCNFs, which in turn amplified the swelling of rCNFs and their crosslinking potential with paper fibers. By introducing amino groups to the CaCO₃ surface, the dispersion property of APTES-CaCO₃ in organic solvent was enhanced, as well as the deacidification ability and the retention on the paper. The distinct structures and attributes of rCNFs and APTES-CaCO₃ were characterized by various techniques. Following the conservation application to aged paper using this system, a desired internal pH value of 8.31 and an alkaline reserve of 0.8056 mol/kg were achieved, alongside a 33.6 % elevation in the tensile index. The aging resistance of the treated paper was evaluated by dry heat and hygrothermal aging tests. The findings revealed that the treatment bestowed the treated paper with outstanding anti-aging properties, notably in terms of internal pH, alkaline reserve and mechanical robustness. Additionally, the paper's brightness was amplified, while its color alteration remained negligible.