Acid formation, accumulation, and migration in cellulose based materials are areas of focus important in conservation science to improve the longevity of artifacts. This work documents the effects of acids on cellulose fiber wettability to better understand the behavior of naturally aged papers that have potentially produced acids, been doped with acids (sizing), or been contaminated with acids over time. Different fiber alignments (grain directions) and acid sizing were tested with water and acid solutions to observe the migration rate of liquids through cellulose. Fiber orientation was confirmed using light microscopy and further characterized with atomic force microscopy. Wettability and contact angle techniques were performed using a Tensiometer to characterize wetting behaviors. It was found that changes in fiber orientations caused a predictable trend in contact angles between the paper and liquid interface, signifying a relationship between fiber orientation and liquid absorption. Tests were conducted using different acids of varying concentrations to observe the effects on wetting rate. The overall trend showed a faster wetting rate with acids compared to tests performed with deionized water. Paper previously doped with different acids also showed the same trend when wet with deionized water. This presents a baseline for studying the effects of acids in aged, sized documents that have either produced acids, been exposed to acids due to storage conditions, or been previously treated for conservation.

Cellulose fiber wettability: Effects of fiber alignment and acid sizing

254th National Meeting (2017)

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