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Enhancing paper hydrophobicity is of key importance for many paper-based applications. Fatty acids or vegetable oils and their derivatives replace environmentally harmful conventional coating materials but still require challenging chemical reactions for covalent attachment onto paper. Here, we show that simple storage of olive oil-coated cotton linter paper at 70 °C and subsequent Soxhlet extraction is able to endow paper with hydrophobic properties, reaching water contact angles above 130°. In-depth chemical and morphological analytics show the relevance of temperature and air accessibility during the aging process compared with aging at ambient temperature and under the exclusion of oxygen, underlining the importance of assessing a coating's long-term performance and stability under diverse storage conditions. Simple storage of vegetable oil-coated paper at elevated temperatures followed by extraction proves to be an easy way to produce stable covalently attached hydrophobic paper coatings with exceptionally low coating amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobic coatings are of utmost importance for many applications of paper-based materials. However, to date, most coating methods demand vast amounts of chemicals and solvents. Frequently, fossil-based coating materials are being used and multiple derivatization reactions are often required to obtain desired performances. In this work, we present a solvent-free paper-coating process, where olive oil as the main biogenic component is being used to obtain a hydrophobic barrier on paper. UV-induced thiol-ene photocrosslinking of olive oil was pursued in a solvent-free state at a wavelength of 254 nm without addition of photoinitiator. Optimum reaction conditions were determined in advance using oleic acid as a model compound. Paper coatings based on olive oil crosslinked by thiol-ene reaction reach water contact angles of up to 120°. By means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, a successful reaction and the formation of a polymer network within the coating can be proven. These results show that click-chemistry strategies can be used to achieve hydrophobic polymeric paper coatings while keeping the amount of non-biobased chemicals and reaction steps at a minimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictive models for the transport of volatile organic compounds in paper need to consider the complex interplay of diffusion, adsorption, desorption, or chemical reactions. The relative importance of each of these processes is determined by the polarity of the volatile. Hence, it is challenging to pick a valid theoretical model that correctly predicts transport regardless of the polarity. Here, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) assess which of five different models correctly describe transport of DMSO as polar and n-tetradecane as apolar model compound: (i) a pseudo first-order adsorption model for an irreversible sorption process, (ii) a first-order kinetics model allowing reversible sorption, (iii) a second-order model with a reversible process, and an effective diffusion model accounting for a constant (iv) and for a variable effective diffusivity (v). Each tested model is given as set of partial differential equations (PDE). Considering the model under testing and experimentally obtained spatially and temporally resolved concentration profiles through stacks of paper sheets, PINNs predict concentration of the volatiles and associated material constants such as sorption constants and effective diffusion coefficients by solving the inverse problem. Our PINNs revealed two models, pseudo first-order sorption and second-order reversible sorption, that correctly predict concentration profiles and polarity-driven differences in sorption times. While a PINN-based picking of valid transport models has important implications for the development of effective methods for controlling emission of volatiles from paper materials, PINNs represent a versatile mathematical tool to validate or refute the capability of PDE-based theoretical models to describe experimental data. • PINNs evaluate sorption kinetics in porous materials. • Focus: Transport of organic volatiles in cellulose. • Pseudo first-order model suits organic volatiles. • Predicting transport of volatiles through paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pigment coating of paper is usually performed to enhance the physical properties of paper and its printability. The coating generally makes paper whiter, brighter and more opaque. The properties of the coated paper depend, among others, on the porous structure of the coating developed, which is determined by the pigments, binders and their reactions. The influence of the type and quantity of coating components and ink absorption into the coating layer was studied in this work. Printing ink penetration was measured using a Penetration Dynamic Analyser with a HVL module (High Viscous Liquid). The evenness of liquid penetration into paper was measured using a Penetration Dynamic Analyser with a PEA module (Print Evenness Analyser). Results obtained indicate that all three variables - coating pigment type, latex dose and ink type - may have an equally strong influence on liquid and ink penetration, and thus on print quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper documents with severe iron gall ink corrosion are difficult to handle. While a defined treatment for the chemical stabilisation exists already, methods to improve the mechanical stabilisation have yet to be developed. The degradation of the selected objects was so advanced that the documents needed special attention concerning handling and mechanical re-enforcement. After a calciumphytate-calciumhydrogen treatment, documents were lined with light weight Japanese paper and gelatine. A workflow for treating severely degraded iron gall ink documents was developed. Since the removal of objects from the silk screen frames after the wet treatment proved to be too difficult, a PE-board was introduced as an alternative washing support. Most synthetic fleeces such as Hollytex or Paraprint adhere to its granulated surface by mechanical means. This makes PE-board a practical support during any wet treatment of paper-based objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resistance paper was manufactured by laccase-grafting of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and chitosan (CPX) on Kraft pulp fiber. The reaction was mediated in the presence of laccase by one of the following polyphenols in the presence of air: gallic acid (GA), vanillic acid (VA) and catechol (1,2-DHB). Enzyme was added at constant loading (24 kg ton-1), 1% pulp consistency, 0.005% CMC, pH = 6.3 ± 0.5 and 2 mM of mediator. CPX content was assessed at two levels (0% and 0.005%). Treated pulps were analyzed by different mechanical tests (ring crush, mullen, corrugating medium test (CMT) flat crush of corrugating medium test and tension). An improvement in these parameters was obtained by biopolymer coupling and selected mediator. When using GA, three parameters increased more than 40%, while ring crush increased 120%. For the case of VA, properties were enhanced from 74% to 88% when CPX was added. For 1,2-DHB, there was not found a statistically significant difference between the results in the presence of CPX. Scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, FTIR and 13C NMR were used in all papers in order to evaluate grafting. Hence, it was possible to correlate polymerization with an improvement of paper's mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water concentration in transformer paper insulation must be monitored because, if it becomes too high, the paper insulation will age rapidly [1]-[4] and the transformer may fail on overload [5]-[9]. A failure can occur on overload if the temperature of the paper rises sufficiently to cause evolution of water bubbles. If these bubbles cause dielectric failure of the oil gap, the transformer may fail catastrophically. Paper insulation becomes brittle as it ages, and eventually becomes too brittle to act as an effective insulator. Oxygen increases the aging rate because the acids created by chemical reactions occurring in the oil, paper, and oxygen react further with water [10]-[12]. A study of the thermal aging of Kraft paper found that wet oxygenated paper degrades 40 times faster than the same paper heated in a dry oxygen-free environment [4]. The paper within a transformer is likely to degrade fastest at the top of the winding, where it is hottest [13]. Since the water concentration in the paper significantly influences its aging, it is important that the water concentration be measured accurately at the top of the winding. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The binding mechanisms of two reactive sizing agents, alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) and maleated sunflower oil high-oleic (MSOHO), with cellulose were studied. While ASA is produced from olefins out of fossil resources, MSOHO is a green sizing agent based on renewable plant materials. In contrast to common assumptions, that ASA is mostly covalently bound to cellulose, this study showed the largest part of ASA to be bound only by physisorption and only a rather small fraction, typically about 0.5 %, to be covalently attached by ester bonds. In the case of MSOHO, the covalent binding was only slightly higher, with about 3 % of the total amount being covalently linked. In both cases, covalently bound sizing agents were found to be almost uniformly distributed over the whole DP range of the cellulose as seen by carboxyl-selective fluorescence labeling in combination with size exclusion chromatography ('FDAM method'). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic fillers are inexpensive materials used to increase the density, smoothness and other properties of paper that are important for printing. In the current study, the adhesion of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs), a common type of adhesive used in labels and tapes, to papers containing varying amounts and types of fillers is investigated. Papers with three types of fillers, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and kaolin clay, were investigated. The compositions of the papers were examined with SEM/EDX, while peel and double cantilever beam (DCB) tests were used to assess PSA-paper adhesion. The results indicate that fillers enhance the adhesion between PSA and paper. In the case of the peel tests, a combination of inter-fiber bond strength and PSA-paper adhesion determines the peel strength. While in the DCB tests, failure is isolated to the PSA-paper interface, thus allowing measurements of pure interfacial failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a method for fabricating inexpensive microfluidic platforms on paper using laser treatment. Any paper with a hydrophobic surface coating (e.g., parchment paper, wax paper, palette paper) can be used for this purpose. We were able to selectively modify the surface structure and property (hydrophobic to hydrophilic) of several such papers using a CO2laser. We created patterns down to a minimum feature size of 62 ± 1 µm. The modified surface exhibited a highly porous structure which helped to trap/localize chemical and biological aqueous reagents for analysis. The treated surfaces were stable over time and were used to self-assemble arrays of aqueous droplets. Furthermore, we selectively deposited silica microparticles on patterned areas to allow lateral diffusion from one end of a channel to the other. Finally, we demonstrated the applicability of this platform to perform chemical reactions using luminol-based hemoglobin detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: With many important artistic works and documents made of paper, and thus susceptible to biodeterioration by fungi, research is required in an effort to replace toxic chemical products with other more benign ones. In this work the antifungal effect of methyl and propyl paraben mixtures at different concentrations was evaluated. The fungi used in the experiments were a Cladosporium species and Penicillium corylophilum, both of which are well known as paper-biodeteriorating fungi. The results demonstrate that a mixture of 0.5% methyl paraben and 1% propyl paraben, in 85% ethanolic solution, is the lowest concentration necessary to provide an efficient antifungal action. A deacidification agent, 5% calcium propionate, was added to this mixture to produce a multi-purpose formulation to treat acidification and fungal contamination of paper documents. Tests carried out on paper samples before and after application of this mixture showed only a minor increase in yellowing and a slight decrease in tensile strength, while substantially raising the pH, and thus the alkaline reserve, and also a slight increase in the percentage of deformation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The radio frequency (RF) argon plasma induced surface modification of paper revealed novel surface characteristics and substantially changed surface topography. It was found that RF-argon glow discharge affects surface properties resulting in photo-degradation and chain-scission mechanism on paper network structure. High-power and extended treatment time caused increasing elemental carbon, while decreasing the oxygen concentration on paper surface. However, increased hydroxyls and the creation of new carbonyl functionalities were verified by trifluoroacetoanhydride and pentafluorophenylhydrazine in vapor-phase derivatization reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The study was performed to examine the correlation between the initial roughness and surface fluorination of paper under RF-CF4 plasma environment. Based on the experimental observations, a correlation was observed between surface fluorination and plasma parameters, e.g. RF-power, treatment time and gas pressure. The level of fluorination with RF-CF4 plasma treatment was found to be extensive in both side of paper. Even very short treatment time, as low as 1min at 300W power, provides effective implantation of fluorine (38.7%) on surfaces. It was observed that, CF4 plasma treatment had a significant effect on the molecular fragmentation on both side of paper. However, the felt side have a much stronger effect on plasma-induced dissociation and fluorination than in the wire side of paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

De-esterification and sulfonation reactions, which create new anionic groups in the middle lamella and primary wall layers, are the key chemical reactions in chemithermomechanical pulping. The effects of these reactions on the resulting fibre dimensions, refining energy demand, hand-sheet bulk and strength properties were assessed by laboratory-scale chemical pre-treatments and refining of Norway spruce chips. After pre-treatments with alkaline, sulfite, alkaline sulfite and alkaline peroxide liquors, a Wing defibrator-type batch refiner was used. The refining energy was measured. The degree of alkaline hydrolysis of acetyl and methyl ester groups in galactoglucomannans (GGMs) and pectins, and the degree of lignin sulfonation were determined. Hand-sheets were prepared and their physical properties were tested. The data were subjected to multivariate analysis and the order of significance of the chemical reactions towards pulp and paper properties was estimated. Chemical pre-treatments were found to increase the fibre length and the energy demand considerably. The fibre length and width after refining were strongly influenced by lignin sulfonation and pectin demethylation. GGM deacetylation had little influence on preserving the fibre dimensions in CTMP refining. The bulk, on the other hand, was highly influenced by GGM deacetylation. Peroxide reactions in alkaline peroxide treatments had no effect on the pulp and paper properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study, which characterized the ink components in ancient manuscripts by FTIR spectroscopy. The destructive mechanism of the inks can be influenced and exacerbated by various characteristics and processes. These include the characteristics of the paper, the composition of the ink, environmental conditions and chemical reactions with other molecules. An understanding of the reaction mechanisms of the components of the original ink is crucial for an understanding of the damage caused to paper and parchment. Characterization of these components can help to describe these mechanisms and consequently avoid degradation.

Abstract: Plasma polymerized fluorocarbon films have been deposited on paper and regenerated cellulose surfaces to enhance their barrier properties and to achieve hydrophobic surfaces. The primary monomers used for plasma polymerization were pentafluoroethane (CF3CHF2) and octafluorocyclobutane (C4F8). The equilibrium moisture uptake of films deposited from either precursor was less than 0.14 wt.%. Although water vapor uptake of the fluorocarbon films is low, moisture diffusivity through the films is high; that is, moisture penetrates the films but is not chemically bonded. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) studies demonstrate that the absorption of water vapor is a bulk phenomenon in which the moisture penetrates into the film. Transient moisture absorption studies were conducted using the QCM to evaluate the rate of moisture uptake and diffusivity. Although the films allow water vapor diffusion, the films are hydrophobic and are not “wetted” when liquid water contacts these layers. Contact angle studies reveal that a minimum fluorocarbon film thickness of about 70 nm on paper is required to completely cover surface and near-surface fibers, thereby providing the paper with long term hydrophobic character. The films also impart the paper with an improved barrier to lipophilic material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Chemical vapor infiltration and reaction (CVI-R) is used to produce biomorphic high porous SiC ceramics based on biological structures such as paper. The paper fibers are first converted into a biocarbon (Cb) template by a carbonization step. In a second step methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) in excess of hydrogen is infiltrated into the Cb-template by CVI technique, depositing a Si/SiC layer around each fiber. The reaction (R) between biocarbon and excess silicon to form additional silicon carbide occurs during a subsequent thermal treatment as a third step of the ceramization process. Due to the mild infiltration conditions (850–900 °C) the initial micro- and macrostructure of the carbon preform is retained in the final ceramics. The applied characterization methods after every step of the ceramization process are X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The bending strength of the resulting porous ceramics is measured by the double ring bending test. It is found that a slight excess of free Si in relation to the amount of carbon from the Cb-template must be deposited in the Si/SiC layer to achieve a nearly complete conversion of the Cb-templates into SiC ceramic. The weight gain after infiltration has to be at least 400 wt.%. Varying the infiltration conditions such as temperature, MTS concentration and infiltration time, ceramics in a wide range of porosity (55–80%) and mechanical properties (5–40 MPa) can be produced. A thermal treatment temperature of 1400 °C is found to be optimal for the reaction between the deposited Si and the biocarbon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article describes a method for the modification of paper with single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) to form stable suprastructures. The SWCNHs form stable dahlia-like aggregates in solution that are then self-assembled into superior structures if the solvent is evaporated. Dipping paper sections into a dispersion of SWCNHs leads to the formation of a thin film that can be used for microextraction purposes. The coated paper can be easily handled with a simple pipette tip, paving the way for disposable extraction units. As a proof of concept, the extraction of antidepressants from urine and their determination by direct infusion mass spectrometry is studied. Limits of detection (LODs) were 10 ng/L for desipramine, amitriptyline, and mianserin, while the precision, expressed as a relative standard deviation, was 7.2%, 7.3%, and 9.8%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]