Analysis of the Elemental Composition of Printing Paper: Identification of Regularities and Interpretation of Research Results

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to reveal regularities in the elemental composition of printing paper across different chronological periods and to interpret the results obtained to refine approaches to the attribution and authentication of paper-based objects. The research methodology is based on a general scientific approach, involving the systematic use of theoretical methods (analysis, deduction, induction, and generalisation) combined with empirical studies employing modern non-destructive physico-chemical methods. Scientific novelty. For the first time, regularities in the elemental composition of printing paper dating from the late 19th to the early 21st century have been identified, key chemical elements have been determined, and their possible origins have been interpreted based on production technology and the fillers employed. Diagnostic markers have been defined that can be used for the preliminary identification of kaolin in paper pulp using X-ray fluorescence analysis. Conclusions. It has been established that the elemental composition of printing papers from the 19th and 20th centuries is characterised by the presence of iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, and copper, while titanium is typical of samples from the second half of the 20th century, attributable to the use of kaolins from secondary deposits as fillers. It has been shown that in 21st-century papers, calcium becomes the dominant element due to the widespread use of calcium carbonate as the primary filler. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of X-ray fluorescence analysis for determining the elemental composition of paper and the relevance of complementing it with infrared spectroscopy to identify the nature of the fillers. The results provide a foundation for developing a database of the elemental composition of papers from different chronological periods, thereby facilitating the development of scientifically robust methods for authenticating paper-based cultural heritage objects.