Evaluation of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Nanocellulose for Tracing Papers Consolidation

The research aims to evaluate the efficiency of some consolidation materials for tracing paper; hydroxypropyl cellulose (Klucel-E), zinc oxide nanoparticles and nanocellulose. The consolidated materials were used independently, and as hybrid mixtures to improve their properties. The prepared nanomaterials were examined with an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), and the materials used to consolidate the tracing paper samples after artificial aging were evaluated. Evaluation methods included investigation of the surface morphology by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), measurement of mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation), and detection of chemical changes of the treated samples before and after thermal ageing at 80°C and 65% relative humidity by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Based on the results of the examinations, consolidation by the hybrid mixture consisting of hydroxylpropyl cellulose and nanocellulose proved to be successful; giving the best results when this hybrid mixture was applied on tracing paper samples. This mixture was distinguished by its ability to spread easily inside the paper, giving greater strength to the binding, without forming a film on the surface of the paper and causing stiffness or opacity to treated tracing paper. Therefore, this hybrid mixture was used to consolidate an archaeological tracing map at the Egyptian Geographical Society dating back to (1807 AD).