Deacidification Treatments Of Printed Cellulosic Materials

Abstract

A deacidification composition for use in for treating printed cellulosic materials is provided. A method of making the composition and a method of preparing components of the composition also are provided. The composition includes zinc oxide in the form of nanoparticles and/or nanoclusters.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A deacidification composition comprising:
 zinc oxide, the zinc oxide being present in the form of nanoparticles and/or nanoclusters and having a particle size in a range of about 1 to about 200 nanometers, the zinc oxide being present in an effective amount to slow the rate at which cellulosic material ages;   a solvent; and   a surfactant.   
     
     
         2 . The deacidification composition of  claim 1  wherein the zinc oxide has a particle size in a range of about 1 to about 10 nanometers. 
     
     
         3 . The deacidification composition of  claim 1  wherein the zinc oxide has a particle size in a range of about 10 to about 100 nanometers. 
     
     
         4 . The deacidification composition of  claim 1  further comprising at least one additional metal oxide besides zinc oxide. 
     
     
         5 . The deacidification composition of  claim 1  further comprising a nonaqueous solvent. 
     
     
         6 . The deacidification composition of  claim 1  further comprising an aqueous solvent. 
     
     
         7 . The deacidification composition of  claim 1  wherein the zinc oxide is present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 3 wt. %. 
     
     
         8 . The deacidification composition of  claim 7  wherein the zinc oxide is present in an amount of about 0.5 to about 0.75 wt. %. 
     
     
         9 . The deacidification composition of  claim 1  wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fluorosurfactants, branch secondary alcohol ethoxylates, non-ionic hydrocarbons, perfluoropolyethers and the like. 
     
     
         10 . A method for preserving cellulosic material, the method comprising:
 providing a cellulosic material; and   exposing the cellulosic material to a deacidification composition,   wherein the deacidification composition comprises zinc oxide and a solvent, the zinc oxide being present in the form of nanoparticles and/or nanoclusters and having a particle size in a range of about 1 to about 200 nanometers, the zinc oxide being present in an effective amount to slow the rate at which cellulosic material ages.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of exposing the cellulosic material to a deacidification composition includes a step selected from the group consisting of applying the deacidification composition as an aerosol to the cellulosic material, brushing the deacidification composition on the cellulosic material, and immersing the cellulosic material in the deacidification composition. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the zinc oxide is provided in the deacidification composition in an amount of about 0.1 to about 3 wt. %. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the solvent is an aqueous solvent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the solvent is a nonaqueous solvent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the zinc oxide has a particle size in a range of about 1 to about 10 nanometers. 
     
     
         16 . A method for preserving cellulosic material, the method comprising:
 providing a cellulosic material;   exposing the cellulosic material to a deacidification composition;   exposing the cellulosic material to conditions having at least about 70% relative humidity to form a humidified cellulosic material; and   freeze drying the humidified cellulosic material to remove moisture,   wherein the deacidification composition comprises zinc oxide and a solvent, the zinc oxide being present in the form of nanoparticles and/or nanoclusters and having a particle size in a range of about 1 to about 200 nanometers, the zinc oxide being present in an effective amount to slow the rate at which cellulosic material ages.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising exposing the cellulosic material to carbon dioxide to form carbonate cations in the cellulosic material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the cellulosic materials are exposed to at least about 70% relative humidity at a temperature of less than about 60° F. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the zinc oxide includes particles having a diameter in a range of about 10 to about 200 nanometers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the zinc oxide is provided in the deacidification composition in an amount of about 0.1 to about 3 wt. %.