Reinforcement of artificially aged paper using electrospun polyvinyl alcohod/cellulose triacetate fibers

In this research, we tried to reinforce artificially aged paper by introducing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/cellulose triacetate (CTA) double layers through electrospinning. The electrospinning conditions of PVA and CTA were established, and the morphological features of the electrospun fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The aged paper showed the decrease of tensile strength and the folding endurance, but the mechanical properties were effectively increased by the introduction of the electrospun layers. The electrospinning of polymers formed a stable and fibrous reinforcing layer at the paper surface without the use of liquid adhesives. It would be advantageous in the conservation protocol because it could minimize the inevitable deformation of paper in the drying process or contamination by the additive materials. © 2018 Korean Technical Assoc. of the Pulp and Paper Industry. All rights reserved.