Paper artifacts susceptible to acid hydrolysis and mechanical stress require effective conservation methods to ensure their longevity. In this study, a novel approach for the deacidification of acidic paper using calcium carbonate (CaCO3) [1,2]-ethylcellulose nanoparticles (CaCO3-EC NPs) dispersed in a non-aqueous ethyl acetate solution is presented. The dispersions were carefully prepared and applied to model acidic paper samples using a dipcoating method and then analyzed for their effectiveness. Transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of agglomerates containing quadrangular alkaline nanoparticles with diameters of 40 to 100 nm and a total agglomerate size of 250 nm. Hydrodynamic analyzes indicate the presence of a swollen ethyl cellulose coating on these agglomerates, which facilitates their dispersion. The results show the effectiveness of the CaCO3-EC NPs system in neutralizing acidic components (change of paper pH from 4.3 to 7) due to the homogeneous distribution within the paper substrates, effectively arresting the degradation processes. Acid-base titration showed a linear correlation between the concentration of alkaline nanoparticles and the alkaline reserve, emphasizing the role of ethylcellulose in facilitating particle transport within the paper matrix. In addition, ethylcellulose was found to improve the mechanical properties of the treated paper, as demonstrated by the standard mechanical tests. Importantly, the optical properties remained unchanged after treatment, as no adverse changes in color were observed. These results underline the effectiveness of the developed deacidification dispersions for the treatment of acidic paper and potentially other cellulose-based cultural heritage documents prone to acidic degradation. This approach offers promising implications for preserving and restoring valuable historical materials.
