Efficiency of gel poultices based on arbocel and carboxymethyl cellulose with nanoparticle additives for cleaning paper manuscripts

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of gel poultices composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and ethyl alcohol in removing calcifications, stain residues and dirt from manuscript papers, with the goal of developing a safe and effective cleaning method for conservation practice. Design/methodology/approach Paper samples simulating historical manuscripts were prepared and subjected to artificial thermal aging at 100 °C for 72 h. Stains and dirt were applied to the surfaces, which were subsequently treated with the CMC–ethyl alcohol and arbocel–based gel poultices. The cleaning efficiency was assessed using a combination of analytical and examination techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), portable digital microscopy, mechanical property measurements, colorimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Findings The results demonstrated that the arbocel–based gel poultice effectively removed calcifications and surface dirt without inducing adverse chemical changes in the paper. In addition, improvements were observed in selected mechanical properties, notably the percentage of elongation, indicating a potential strengthening effect. Research limitations/implications This study provides an initial evaluation of selected gel materials for cleaning paper manuscripts; however, several limitations have been noticed: The experiments were conducted on experimental paper samples rather than a wide variety of historical papers. No advanced residue analyses (such as ICP-MS or elemental mapping) were carried out. Future work? Comprehensive evaluation of gel residues and their potential impact on long-term paper stability, and validating the results on real historical manuscripts. Testing of the different gel poultices on inked paper manuscripts to avoid ink bleeding. Originality/value This research provides new evidence on the applicability of arbocel-based gel poultices as a safe, efficient, and non-invasive cleaning method for manuscript papers. The findings contribute to expanding conservation strategies for delicate and historically valuable documents.