Conservation of biodeteriorated ancient documents and paper consolidation by plasma treatments

The aim of this research was the abatement of the microbial contamination on paper and paper consolidation by plasma treatment. Plasma sterilization proved to be more efficient than three traditional treatments. For plasma processes, two gas mixtures, Ar/H2 and O2/H2, were compared as a function of power and time. Scanning electron microscopy observations and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy by attenuated total reflectance seemed to show that the plasma treatment did not affect the paper surface. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy detected very small changes of the functional groups at the surface of the paper sheets. Although the two mixtures had the same sterilization efficacy, the optical emission spectroscopy, which measures the ultraviolet, and the tensile strength, measured before and after the treatment, indicated that the O2/H2 mixture was to be preferred. The consolidation of paper using plasma treatment was successfully carried out with a silicon-like film.