Many students go through chemistry classes without knowing its practical implications, due to which they think chemistry as boring and useless.
But if we study deeply we will know that chemistry applications are every where from edibles to huge structures, which make you wonder what makes it stand. But when you know the hand behind it is chemistry all of your school education that you thought useless now starts to make some sense.
Lets take books for example. We use them for variety of purposes like: as pillow, writing, making planes and not to mention the sniffing to take the taste of smell.Some times the smell is pleasant and sometimes not. Have you ever wondered what causes this smell?
Here is the answer.
Books, both new and old , will give off a several hundred Volatile Organic Compounds. These mixes have variety of roots. Some are the results of Degradation, whilst others are the result of the kind of paper, binding adhesive and printing ink utilized as a part of the production of the book. The outflow of these mixes can likewise be utilized as a tool to assess degradation and condition of books.
New Books
The odour of new book is contributed by a mix of volatile chemical which originate from the adhesive, ink, and paper treatment methods used in the book.
These are explained below.
1.Adhesives:
Modern day book binding adhesives are often based on 'co-polymers' such as Vinyl Acetate Ethylene. Some VOCs may originate from these compounds.
Vinyl Acetate Ethylene
2.Paper and Ink:
In paper making process, the desired properties of paper are achieved by treating it with variety of chemicals. Some of these chemicals could contribute to the release of VOCs. Furthermore, petrochemicals used as solvents for ink can also contribute.
Alkyl ketene dimer
Hydrogen peroxide
Old Books
Over time, the gradual breakdown of the cellulose and lignin contained in paper prompts the generation of substantial numbers of different organic compounds.
What are these compounds?
1.Benzaldehyde have almond like odour
2.Vanillin have vanilla like smell
3.Ethyl benzene and toluene have sweet odours
4.2-Ethyl Hexanol have slightly floral smell
1.Benzaldehyde have almond like odour
2.Vanillin have vanilla like smell
3.Ethyl benzene and toluene have sweet odours
4.2-Ethyl Hexanol have slightly floral smell
Conclusion
No single chemical causes the odour of books. It's a result of a complex blend of volatile chemicals produced by chemical utilized in their production, as well as the gradual degradation of the chemicals inside the paper.
