Moroccan manuscript paper (Sample J)

Ingredients

cellulose, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), Kaolin [Al2Si2O5(OH)2], barium sulfate [BaSO4]

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The restoration procedure for these manuscripts involves a two-step conservative treatment: first, the 'de-acidification of paper using saturated Ca(OH)2 solution' and second, a 'consolidation treatment by means of Japanese paper' which possesses similar weight, thickness, and color to the historical originals (Section 2.1, p. 647). The de-acidification process aims to create an alkaline reserve, where any unreacted Ca(OH)2 carbonates with atmospheric CO2 to form calcite (CaCO3) within the paper matrix (Section 3.3, p. 654).

Evidence

"Fifty samples taken from four restored Moroccan manuscript papers dating to the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries including the Japanese paper used for restoration were artificially weathered."

Remarks

Sample J (16th c.) was monitored for structural changes in cellulose. ATR-FTIR showed that dry heat aging caused dehydration and desorption of water, indicated by a decline in the band at 1641–1647 cm−1 (Section 3.1, p. 648). XRD analysis confirmed that while the mineral composition (CaCO3) remained stable after aging, the crystallinity index (CrI%) of the cellulose fibers was significantly affected (Section 3.2, p. 651). EDXRF confirmed Ca as the major inorganic element (p. 654).