Title
Formation of acetic and formic acid in unmodified and modified papers during accelarated ageing
Authors
MICHAL JABLONSKY KATARINA HROBONOVA SVETOZAR KATUSCAK JOZEF LEHOTAY and MARTINA BOTKOVA

Received April 14, 2011
Published Volume 46 Issue 5-6 June-July
Keywords acetic acid, formic acid, degradation, Mg2+ ions

Abstract
Organic acids are spontaneously generated in significant concentrations during natural ageing of all cellulose-based papers, the alkaline ones included. The present study reviews the paper degradation research devoted to the identification and determination of the role of light products formed during paper ageing. Accelerated ageing was performed at 98 °C and 50% RH, for 60 days. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the Mg cations included in the alkaline reserve on the progress of degradation during accelerated ageing of paper. The changes in the ratio of acetic/formic acids and the role of Mg2+ ions during accelerated ageing – in the investigated unmodified and modified papers – with dispersion of MgO or MgO and MMMC (methyl methoxy magnesium carbonate) mixture are discussed. The obtained results show that, during accelerated ageing, acetic and formic acids are produced in both unmodified and modified papers. The higher content of Mg2+ ions in modified paper increases the formation of acetic and formic acids more than in unmodified paper. The reason for this behaviour might be the strong promoting role played by the Mg2+ ions in the formation of the mentioned organic acids.