Combining simple analytical methods enables the prediction of volatile transport through paper

Abstract Paper is a widely used material in our daily life and has diverse applications. However, the range of possible applications is limited due to legal requirements for the permeability of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through the inherently porous material. Volatile organic compounds are transported in the material on the one hand by diffusion through the three-dimensional porous network and on the other hand by successive sorption and desorption processes. The relative importance of the processes is governed by the physical and chemical properties of both the VOC and the paper. The specific interactions between a VOC and paper and the resulting transport duration are expected to vary strongly with the VOC and paper type. Here, three strikingly simple and complementary analytical methods are developed and combined to enable the quantification of the dynamics of transport for a broad variety of VOCs and paper grades. For each method, the mode of application, the strengths, weaknesses, and limitations are highlighted. The merit of combining these methods is showcased by explaining how the collected data serve as the basis for predictive modelling of transport. Mathematics Subject Classification (2020) MSC code1 · MSC code2 · more