Modern civilization's inherited artworks have a powerful impact on society, from political, sociological, and anthropological points of view, so the conservation our Cultural Heritage is fundamental for conveying to future generations culture, traditions, ways thinking behaving. In cultural artifacts, scientists intervene in degradation often unique handcrafts, resulting delicate balance aging, unpredicted events, environmental conditions, sometimes incorrect previous restoration treatments,...

The search for innovative, smart and performing cleaning agents is one of the main issues modern conservation science. Nanosciences do not only provide solutions to this scientific field in terms new materials but also change radically approach problems challenges. In feature article we review most innovative nanostructured systems developed last decade artworks together with some noteworthy case studies. Micelles, microemulsions, thickened complex fluids, responsive gels that constitute...

The removal of aged varnishes from the surface easel paintings using common conservation practice (i.e., by means organic solvents) often causes pigment leaching, paint loss, and varnish redeposition. Recently, we proposed an innovative cleaning system based on semi-interpenetrated polymer networks (SIPNs), where a covalently cross-linked poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), pHEMA, network is interpenetrated linear chains poly(vinylpyrrolidone), PVP. This chemical gel, simply loaded with water,...

Soluplus is an amphiphilic graft copolymer intensively studied as a micellar solubilizer for drugs. An extensive characterization of the nanostructure its colloidal aggregates still lacking. Here, we provide insights into polymer's self-assembly in water, and assess use encapsulating agent fragrances. The properties aqueous solutions were over wide concentration range (1-70% w/w) by means small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), differential scanning calorimetry, NMR, rheometry. SANS analyses...

Conservation of works art often involves the inappropriate application synthetic polymers. We have proposed use alternative methodologies for conservation and formulated innovative cleaning nanostructured systems to remove previously applied polymer films grime from painted surfaces. In particular, a novel "micellar system" composed water, SDS, 1-pentanol, ethyl acetate propylene carbonate was recently successfully used acrylic vinyl/acrylic copolymers Mesoamerican wall paintings in...

Nanostructured soft matter systems represent effective and long-lasting solutions with respect to traditional often obsolete methodologies for the conservation of works art. In particular, complex fluids such as micelles microemulsions are most performing media removal organic materials from porous supports, like wall paintings or stones. this Article, we report on characterization two systems, EAPC XYL, which have shown good optimal performances in polymers paintings. is a five-components...

Nanostructured fluids containing anionic surfactants are among the best performing systems for cleaning of works art. Though efficient, their application may result in formation a precipitate, due to combination with divalent cations that might leach out from artifact. We propose here two new aqueous formulations based on nonionic surfactants, which non-toxic, readily biodegradable and insensitive presence ions. The properties water–nonionic surfactant–2-butanone (MEK) were assessed both...

Aqueous nanostructured fluids (NSFs) have been proposed to remove polymer coatings from the surface of works art; this process usually involves film dewetting. The NSF cleaning mechanism was studied using several techniques that were employed obtain mechanistic insight on interaction a methacrylic/acrylic copolymer (Paraloid B72) laid glass surfaces and NSFs, based two solvents surfactants. experimental results provide detailed picture dewetting process. gyration radius reduction Tg Paraloid...

The removal of hydrophobic materials from a porous support, such as wax stains on wall paintings, is particularly challenging. In this context, traditional methods display several drawbacks. limitations these can be overcome by amphiphile-based aqueous nanostructured fluids, micellar solutions and microemulsions. study, microemulsion for the spots artistic surfaces was formulated. fluid includes non-ionic surfactant, i.e., Triton X-100, two apolar solvents, namely p-xylene n-nonane. solvents...

The surfactant lowers the interfacial energy between phases, favoring polymer dewetting.

Abstract This paper reports on the evaluation of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) “twin-chain” polymer network (TC-PN) combined with an oil-in-water nanostructured fluid (NSF) for removal acetate (PVAc) varnish. Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy showed that structure gel NSF are only minimally altered by loading into gel. The is partially free to diffuse through network, but also interacts walls. During cleaning, dynamics at...

Olive leaves are a rich source of polyphenols with healthful properties and represent one the most abundant waste products olive oil production. The aims this study were to explore phenolic composition from three main Tuscan cultivars (Leccino, Moraiolo Frantoio) collected in Siena Grosseto provinces investigate possible use these compounds as varietal geographic origin markers. Discriminant factorial analysis (DFA) was used for distinguishing between different locations. Apigenin...

To fight counterfeits and to protect the consumer, interest in certifying origin of agricultural goods has been steadily growing last years. While numerous works focus on finished product, an aspect often overlooked is raw materials direct correlation between chemicals soil plants. With inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis, trace ultratrace elements Sangiovese grapes (the main component Chianti wine) were measured their levels used investigate geographical samples....

Complex fluids based on amphiphilic formulations are emerging, particularly in the field of conservation works art, as effective and safe liquid media for removal hydrophobic polymeric coatings. The comprehension cleaning mechanism is key to designing tailored this purpose. However, interaction between nanostructured polymer films still poorly understood. In study, we show how combination confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) atomic force (AFM) provides interesting complementary insight...

The use of nanostructured fluids (NSFs), that is, micellar solutions and microemulsions, in art conservation is often associated with cleaning purposes as the removal polymeric coatings and/or soil from artistic surfaces. In both cases, NSFs grants significant improvements over traditional techniques employ neat unconfined organic solvents, water, or aqueous solutions. study nature properties surfactants present NSF formulations important to boost effectiveness these systems applicative...

Cleaning is one of the most important and delicate operations in conservation cultural heritage, and, if not correctly performed, may irreversibly damage works art. The removal aged or detrimental polymeric coatings from art a common operation conservation, nanostructured fluids (NSFs), such as aqueous swollen micelles oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsions, are used an alternative to non-confined organic solvents that pose series non-negligible drawbacks. NSFs effectiveness removing has been...