The effect of temperature,light and some transitional metal ions on the sorption of sulphur dioxide by paper

The sorption of sulphur dioxide by a series of laboratory-made paper handsheets of typical furnishes was investigated. The gas phase SO₂ concentrations used approached those found in city atmospheres. It was found that at fixed gas phase SO₂ concentration, increase in temperature decreased the “pick-up” rate. Copper and manganese ions were found to catalyse the fixation of sulphur dioxide but iron ions were found to be much less effective in this respect. Experiments conducted to assess the effect of light indicated that the rate of “pick-up” was increased when the samples were exposed to sunlight; an effect most marked in the samples containing groundwood.