Monitoring the natural aging degradation of paper by fluorescence

This study deals on the natural degradation of paper monitored by using laser induced fluorescence. Samples of aged paper dated from 1730 to 2009 were analyzed in the spectral region from 540 to 750 nm. A structural evolution of the paper has been detected through variations of the fluorescence spectra characteristics. Results indicate that changes ascribed to the paper fibers as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, can be monitored in function of their natural aging time. Therefore, fluorescence spectroscopy is an appropriate technique to investigate the degree of paper deterioration. Furthermore, the emission spectrum allows to estimate their manufacture date.