Characterization of selected paper documents from the archives of Palazzo Ducale (Venice), Italy using various analytical techniques

The paper manufacturing process remained unchanged for many centuries, until, in the nineteenth century, the crisis of rags led industrialized countries to patent new production processes with different raw materials. This study deals with this period of transition by analyzing four samples stored at the archives of Superintendency Beni Architettonici per il Paesaggio e per il Patrimonio Storico Artistico ed Etnoantropologico (BAPPDAD) of Venice Lagoon, based in the Palazzo Ducale.The samples were analyzed by FT-IR (ATR), SEM-EDS, HPLC-MS/MS and Py-GC/MS. These techniques allow the characterization of various raw materials and adhesives used in various stages of paper production.These analyses have found a gradual introduction of ground wood in the composition of papers from the mid-nineteenth century, and the use of rosin as glue only in more recent documents.     

Chemical and statistical characterization of selected documents from the archives of the Palazzo Ducale (Venice, Italy)

Inks and paper are the main materials and components of library and archive collections. Since the beginning of paper and ink production empirical recipes have been followed, but in the 19th century with the transformation of Europe during the Industrial Revolution, the continent became the main leader for the discovery of new products and new industrial production processes. The aim of this study is to shed light on paper and ink production processes during this key historical period. In this study we have chosen some documents preserved in the archive of the Soprintendenza dei Beni Architettonici e Paesaggistici (B.A.P.) di Venezia e Laguna, held in the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) of Venice. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR), and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) allowed us to obtain a qualitative and quantitative characterization of the organic and inorganic components in both paper and inks. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed for statistical analysis of the results.     

Hybrid organic–inorganic materials on paper: surface and thermo-mechanical properties

In this work a new simple method to improve the bulk properties of paper is presented. Co-polymerization of vinyl functionalised zirconia oxoclusters with vinyl trimethoxysilane was carried out onto paper. The coating process was evaluated also taking into account the specific weight of hybrid polymer left on the paper after one or two deposition steps, and with or without a thermal treatment of curing. The effectiveness of the coating process in consolidating and protecting paper was investigated by measurements with High Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Dynamical Mechanical Spectroscopy, tensile testing, contact angle, along with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy. The coating process does not affect the morphology and appearance of the paper, but modifies its mechanical, surface and thermal properties.     

Wood surface protection with different alkoxysilanes: a hydrophobic barrier

This paper describes coatings on wood surfaces made by dipping the wood into solutions of different alkoxysilanes. The silanes used as precursors contain different organic groups [R’Si(OR’’)]. These materials tend to deposit as inorganic–organic polymeric films, where the organic groups (aliphatic hydrocarbons, fluorinated hydrocarbons or aromatic substituents) show hydrophobic properties, which reduce the wettability of the surface. The effects of these treatments on the wood surface were extensively studied using various analytical techniques: scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, water contact angle measurements, and flame resistance tests. The resulting data show that the chemical treatment changes the wood’s surface energy, reducing its wettability and reaction to fire. The main innovative finding of this research is that the coatings obtained from a cheaper precursor have a similar performance to that of the more expensive precursors normally used.     

Study of 19th century inks from archives in the Palazzo Ducale (Venice, Italy) using various analytical techniques

Inks and paper are the main materials and components of library and archive collections. Since the Third century B.C. there has been a continual succession of ink recipes from all over the world, with varying levels of documentation of the recipes used; however, it was only in the 19th century that Europe became the main producer and industrial leader in the discovery of new products. The aim of this study is to find out more about this last historical period, when new inks were created that had never been known or used in the past. In this study we chose four inks: they belong to documents preserved in the archive of the Superintendence Beni architettonici per il paesaggio e per il patrimonio storico artistico ed etnoantropologico (BAPPDAD) of Venice Lagoon, held in the Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace) of Venice.Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS) and pyrolysis coupled to a gas chromatograph with mass spectrometric detector (Py–GC–MS) allowed us to obtain a qualitative characterization of organic and inorganic elements in three different ink typologies.     

Hydrophobic siloxane paper coatings: the effect of increasing methyl substitution

Paper is an organic material widely used in cultural heritage and mainly composed of cellulose mixed with lignin, hemicellulose and small amounts of additives. This paper deals with siloxane coatings on pure cellulose paper, applied by sol–gel dipping in sols prepared with different siloxane precursors (tetraethoxysilane, methyl triethoxysilane, dimethyl diethoxysilane, trimethyl monoethoxysilane). The coated samples were characterized using various techniques (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy FT-IR, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance NMR and Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy SEM–EDS), measuring their mechanical properties, flame resistance and contact angles, and a colorimetric test. The coated samples’ behavior was more hydrophobic the higher the methyl number of siloxane precursor, regardless of the coating’s thickness. Increasing the thickness improved the mechanical and thermal properties. The thickest coatings were obtained using a double coating process and a basic catalyst for the hydrolysis step, but this latter condition facilitated the formation of surface agglomerates, which make the paper too stiff and yellow.