Spectroscopic evaluation of the efficacy of two mass deacidification processes for paper

Abstract

Paper samples treated by either a diethylzinc (DEZ) or a magnesium butoxytriglycolate (MG-3) mass deacidifi-cation process have been subjected to spectroscopic analysis, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Rutherford back-scattering (RBS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to identify the nature of the alkaline reserve buffer. In the case of uncoated ‘plain’ paper, the DEZ process produced a uniform distribution of ZnO buffer throughout the paper depth. In contrast, treatment with MG-3 resulted in incomplete buffer MgCO₃ formation; however, rectifying methodology for the uniform formation of MgCO₃ buffer is discussed and established. Neither process is, at present, effective in providing a buffer within the core of glossy, kaolin-coated paper.