The Concept of Mixed-Control Mechanisms and its Applicability to Paper Degradation Studies

Analysis of kinetic data obtained during accelerated ageing of paper is frequently based on the use of Arrhenius equation for extrapolation of kinetic data. However this kind of analysis can be misleading if two or more concurrent processes occur simultaneously. In the case of paper degradation these are, most frequently, acidic hydrolysis and oxidation of cellulose. In such cases application of a mixed-control concept, for many years used in practical applications of chemical kinetics (especially in metallurgy) can be helpful. The present paper is an attempt of explaining the fundamental terminology and concepts connected with the kinetic equations of mixed-control type.