The Effect of Cellulose Nanofibers on Paper Documents Containing Starch and Gelatine Sizing

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate cellulose nanofibers and their effects on starch and gelatine as the most common surface sizing substances used in historical paper documents. In this study, cellulose nanofibers with a concentration of 1% by weight were prepared as a suspension with ethanol and used for the treatment of unsized samples and samples containing starch and gelatine sizing. The results showed that the application of cellulose nanofiber treatment increased the pH of unsized samples and samples containing starch sizing. After aging, there was a slight decrease in the pH of the samples. Cellulose nanofiber treatment increased the tensile strength of the samples. After accelerated aging, the tensile strength of samples containing starch and gelatine sizing and treated samples increased compared to untreated samples. Samples containing gelatine sizing and samples containing treated starch sizing showed the least amount of colour changes (∆E), respectively, and had the best colorimetry results. The results of the contact angle test of the samples before and after aging showed that cellulose nanofiber treatment did not increase the resistance of the paper to wetting and did not prevent the paper surface from getting wet.