Wood pulp

Ingredients

cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, rosin, starch, gelatine, alum

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Machine-made paper introduced in the 1840s used wood as the common ingredient. Wood pulp contains approximately 50% cellulose along with hemicelluloses and lignin. Various additives including rosin, starch, gelatine, and alum are incorporated during the manufacturing process (p. 370). Samples studied include INC (1901), SIS (1927), SEL (1930), and PRB (1941) (p. 370).

Evidence

"Wood pulp is made from cellulose (50%) but it also contains other polymers (hemicelluloses and lignin) and a number of substances, such as rosin, starch, gelatine and alum that are added in the papermaking process. The presence of lignin and the acidic additives that are found in wood pulp make it more vulnerable to heat, light, dampness and airborne pollutants."

Remarks

Wood pulp papers are more vulnerable to degradation due to the presence of lignin and acidic additives. Identified VOC markers of cellulose degradation include linear hydrocarbons, linear aldehydes, and 2-furfural (p. 369). Chiral analysis revealed that only the enantiomer (S)-2-ethyl-1-hexanol is present as an emanation compound in this type of paper (p. 369). Volatile formic and acetic acids, as well as formaldehyde, contribute to the 'smell of old books' and can have corrosive effects on the paper itself (p. 370).