Mikhaleva Maria G. — PhD in Physics and Mathematics; FRCCP RAS, Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics of Biosystems
E-mail: maria.mikhaleva@chph.ras.ru

Zanin Anatoly M. — PhD in Chemistry; FRCCP RAS, Senior Researcher of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics of Biosystems
E-mail: anatolyi.zanin@chph.ras.ru

Vedenkin Aleksandr S. — FRCCP RAS, Researcher of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics of Biosystems
E-mail: vedenkin@chph.ras.ru

Politenkova Galina G. — FRCCP RAS, Researcher of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics of Biosystem
E-mail: alina.politenkova@chph.ras.ru

Sobolev Mikhail I. — FRCCP RAS, Expert of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics of Biosystems
E-mail: smi828@yandex.ru

Maslennikova Nadezhda P. — Archive of Russian Academy of Sciences, Senior Researcher; The State Research Institute for Restoration, Paper Conservator of Department of applied arts
E-mail: nadine@bk.ru

Lotsmanova Ekaterina M. — Federal Center for Document Conservation, The National Library of Russia, Leading Researcher
E-mail: incunabula.fcc@mail.ru

Kashcheev Alexey A. — Archive of Russian Academy of Sciences, Senior Researcher
E-mail: alexka27@mail.ru

Stovbun Sergey V. — Doctor of Physics and Mathematics; FRCCP RAS, Head of the Laboratory of Chemical Physics of Biosystems
E-mail: s.stovbun@yandex.ru

This paper describes the potential of using nanocellulose for restoration purposes, proposing effective methods for restoring paper documents. The paper discusses the properties and process of producing a nanosized cellulose fraction suitable for use in restoration. Nanocellulose, as a promising material, has a large specific surface area and is biodegradable and biocompatible. Pseudo-nanocellulose, obtained in laboratory conditions and used by us for restoration, is less energy-intensive to produce than true nanocellulose and consists of incompletely unwound microfibrils. This makes it an ideal candidate for restoration work that does not require large-scale production. A laboratory method for producing pseudo-nanocellulose is described, involving acid hydrolysis and ultrasonic treatment. The formation of a three-dimensional lattice of twisted nanocellulose fibers, which provides reinforcement for paper media, is described from a chemical physics perspective. The interpenetration of the pseudo-nanocellulose lattices and paper mechanically enhances the interaction between them, outperforming traditional synthetic consolidants. The practical feasibility of using nanocellulose for the restoration of paper-based documents is demonstrated. Pseudo-nanocellulose has been found to exhibit good adhesion to paper of various compositions and remains transparent on the paper after drying, without creating additional text obscuring. A pseudo-nanocellulose solution is shown to strengthen damaged paper with minimal visual changes, which is important for preserving the aesthetics of documents. The use of pseudo-nanocellulose simplifies the restoration of fragile, translucent documents with a high wood pulp content. Studies have shown increased fracture resistance and tensile strength after treatment with pseudo-nanocellulose.

Atomic force microscopy, fibrils, nanocellulose, paper, reinforcement, restoration, strength, suspension.