Influence of the cellulose nanofibers on optical and mechanical strength of the historical paper relics

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cellulose nanofibers and its use as a strength enhancer to restore tensile strength and durability to historical paper relics. This research was conducted by analytical comparisons method and samples were collected by experiments related to research topics such as pH measurement, calorimetric and the measurement of tensile strength of the samples. In this study, treatment of cellulose nanofibers with weight percentages of 0.5, 1 and 2%, was prepared as a suspension with water and used to consolidation of the paper samples. The treatment was sprayed three times by 3.5 ml using spray can, then the treatment samples were thermally aged for 144 h at D776-92 ASTM, at a temperature of 105 °C. Next, changes of pH, color and tensile strength of the specimens were investigated. Results showed that the pH of the samples after treatment ranged from 6.98 to 7.17 and after the aging, pH of the samples was in the near alkaline range of 6.85 to 7.11. The tensile strength index of the samples also increased in all 3 concentrations after treatment, however after aging, the tensile strength index of the samples decreased compared with the previous phase. The highest tensile strength after treatment was observed in samples with 2% treatment at 28.2 and after aging 26. 3 Nm/g per meter.