Analysis of writing/printing paper via Thermogravimetric Analysis: application in forensic science. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Raj; Sharma, Vishal; Verma, Neha; Diwan, Pawan Kumar; Kumar, Vinay; Kumar, Vijay
• Is Part Of: Australian journal of forensic sciences. Volume 51:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Thermogravimetric analysis -- activation energy -- multivariate analysis -- writing/printing papers -- forensic science; Law -- Australia -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2017.1310921
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-0618

Abstract

Abstract: In this research, we characterized and discriminated 24 different kinds of writing/printing papers that may or may not have similar compositions by using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). All paper samples were obtained from the local market in and around Chandigarh (Northwest India). Large differences were observed in the estimation of the kinetic parameters of cellulose and hemicellulose. The calculated percentage weight loss and activation energy for Reaction I and II was further used to determine the thermal stability of each sample. Although few differences were observed on visual examination of the samples, significant differences were obtained on the basis of their kinetic parameters. Multivariate analysis was further applied to the results and considerable enhancement of the results was observed. The current study provides 99.28% discrimination among all the possible pairs of paper samples. The technique is cost-effective, involves no sample preparation, consumes less time and provides reproducible results.