Cellulose Degradation in an Acetic Acid Environment

Abstract

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyse off-gassing from three archival boxes that had an acidic smell. A number of volatile organic compounds were found, including acetic (ethanoic) acid, likely to be generated by Jade 403, a poly (vinyl acetate/ethylene) adhesive that had been used in the boxes. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acetic acid vapour on pure cellulose paper using cold extraction pH and viscometric determination of the average degree of polymerization (DPv) of cellulose dissolved in cadoxen. Whatman No. 1 paper samples were exposed to 200, 20 and 3mgm–3 of acetic acid vapour for 40 and 80 days. The degree of degradation both immediately after exposure and following artificial aging at 80°C and 65% RH for 30 and 60 days was significant in all samples except those exposed for 80 days at 3mgm–3. The results suggest that the effect of acetic acid on paper most likely occurs over the long term after the exposure. Concerns about acid-emitting materials being in contact with or in the vicinity of paper-based materials in museums and archives are discussed, based on these results, and preventive measures are recommended.