Natural based products for cleaning copper and copper alloys artefacts

• DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2021.2000408
• Publication Date: 2021-11-10T06:36:17Z
• Authors: Andrea Macchia; Irene Angela Cola...; Laura Rivaroli; Gabriele Favero; Tilde de Caro; Leonardo Pantoja ...; Luigi Campanella; Mauro Francesco L...
• Keywords: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Malachite; Cleaning agent; Conservation

Copper alloys objects can deteriorate their conservation state through irreversible corrosion. Since in the cultural heritage field every artefact is unique and any loss irreplaceable, solutions for are needed. Hence, there necessity to stop corrosion process with a suitable cleaning avoid further degradation processes without changing its morphological aspect. Chelating commonly used chemical cleaning, mainly sodium salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). However, it resistant water purification procedures not biodegradable. The goal this study was see if applying an ecologically friendly chelating agent as alternative EDTA suitable. In were chosen six natural-based chelators that could be new green non-toxic corrosion-inhibiting properties. They tested copper artefacts exposed atmospheric environment polluted areas. considered four amino acids, glucoheptonate (CSA) industrial chelator (GLDA). effectiveness on compounds laboratory corroded sheets. Finally, efficacy Roman coins modern painting. To define efficacy, surface analytical investigations have been carried out by means ICP-OES, UV-VIS, µ-Raman, spectro-colorimetry, XRD FTIR. Among alanine most effective, showing unaltered noble patina good effective recovery from patinas.