To read this content please select one of the options below:

(excl. tax) 30 days to view and download

Enhancing the functional properties and performance of paper via cellulose nanocrystals and funori loaded onto ZnO NPs

Salwa Moustafa Amer Mahmoud, Tarek Hamdy, Mohamed Fares, Wissam Ayman, Shrouk Muhamed, Aya Abdel Khaliq, Lilian Salah

Pigment & Resin Technology

ISSN: 0369-9420

Article publication date: 24 April 2024

Issue publication date: 21 February 2025

33

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the ability of traditional biopolymers, such as funori or the nanoscale form of cellulose nanocrystals, to consolidate fragile paper and preserve it for as long as possible.

Design/methodology/approach

Degraded papers dating back two centuries were separated into paper samples for consolidation processes. Funori – a marine spleen – was used as a traditional consolidation material and a mixture with ZnO NPs compared with modern materials, such as cellulose nanocrystals. The samples were aged for 25 years, examinations and analyses were performed using scanning electron microscopy and color change was assessed using the CIELAB system, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Findings

According to the results, using traditional materials to consolidate damage, such as funori, after aging resulted in glossiness on the surface, a color change and increased water content and oxidation. Furthermore, samples treated with a mixture of ZnO NPs and funori revealed that the mixture improved the sample properties and increased the degree of crystallization. Cellulose nanocrystals improved the surface, filled gaps, formed bridges between the fibers and acted as a protector from aging effects.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the ability of nanomaterials to enhance the properties of materials as additives and treat the paper manuscripts from weaknesses.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Dr Eman Salim, Assistant Professor Lecturer at the Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, for her kindly help during the preparation of this study.

Citation

Mahmoud, S.M.A., Hamdy, T., Fares, M., Ayman, W., Muhamed, S., Abdel Khaliq, A. and Salah, L. (2025), "Enhancing the functional properties and performance of paper via cellulose nanocrystals and funori loaded onto ZnO NPs", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 54 No. 3, pp. 400-407. https://doi.org/10.1108/PRT-01-2024-0012

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles