Stephanie Burns Chemist, Executive

Reisch, C EN Talks with Stephanie Burns, Chemical Engineering News, February 24, 2003 17. 

Although library research helps you to understand the fundamentals of the problem, now the tough part (and the most interesting part) begins. Can 

The essence of the problem seems to be the H+ present in the paper. How can it be removed or at least rendered harmless  

Your general knowledge of chemistry tells you that some sort of base (a substance that reacts with H+) is needed. One of the most common and least expensive bases is sodium hydroxide. Why not dip the affected books in a solution of sodium hydroxide and remove the H+ by the reaction H+ + OH- — H20 This seems to be a reasonable first idea but as you consider it further and discuss it with your colleagues, several problems become apparent  

The NaOH( rg) is a strong base and is therefore quite corrosive. It will destroy the paper by breaking down the cellulose just as acid does. 

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Chemistry Explorers Stephanie Burns Chemist, Executive 5 The Scientific Method 7... 

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