An Approach to Evaluate the Condition of Paper by a Non-destructive Analytical Method

摘要

The results demonstrate the potential of SPME/GC and SPME/GC/MS for monitoring the volatile compounds formed in the course of paper degradation. These techniques permit the non-destructive analysis of the free air volume between sheets in a paper stack during the course of ageing. The individual volatile compounds released from the paper can be identified in a highly reproducible manner. Since constituents from ambient air are completely displaced in the cc urse of the extraction process, no special precautions have to be taken in this respect. All classes of organic compounds described in the literature as paper degradation products have also been identified from our groundwood paper sample. There are distinctly fewer representatives of the polar compound classes (e.g. alcohols and acids) in the SPME extract. Apolar constituents (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes), on the other hand, are much better represented. A number of sesqui- and diterpenoids have also been unequivocally identified which, to the best of our knowledge, have hitherto not been reported as paper emanations. Together with some longer-chain alkanes, they can provide a relative internal intensity standard for the quantification of genuine paper degradation products, such as furfural. Forthcoming investigations will have to show which of these wood constituents can serve as marker compounds to assess the state of degradation of paper materials.