COMPARATIVE STUDY USING CALCIUM HYDROXIDE AND NANO CALCIUM HYDROXIDE TO DEACIDIFICATION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRACING PAPER

The research aims to conduct an experimental study to compare the effect of the Deacidification of tracing paper using; Calcium Hydroxide dissolved in Ethyl alcohol; in comparison with that use Nanocalcium Hydroxide dissolved in Isopropyl alcohol. Then; performing tests and analysis to compare between the two materials, in order to select the most suitable one to deacidify archaeological tracing maps at the “Egyptian Geographical Society” in, Egypt. The treatment methods used on tracing paper samples have been assessed after accelerated aging procedures, to study the efficiency of the Deacidification materials, using FTIR analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) to identify the chemical changes in the functional groups of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin, by comparing the intensity and regions of the absorption spectrum of their characteristic functional groups, in both the treated and standard samples. Also; microscopic examination was conducted; using Digital Light Microscope, and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM); to examine the surface appearance of the treated paper sample. Moreover; the visual properties by using a colorimeter to assess the colour changes that occurred in the treated paper samples before and aging. The mechanical properties of the paper samples were evaluated by measuring the tensile strength and elongation percentage. Furthermore; the quality of the Deacidification was evaluated by measuring the pH of the treated samples in comparison with the standard samples. The Nanocalcium Hydroxide treatment was proved to have a slight effect on the chemical composition of the paper and an improved Deacidification; in comparison to Calcium Hydroxide.