Abstract
Following pilot testing of the effects of alkaline-based nanoparticles on modern parchment, the treatment was extended to historical parchment. This paper describes the application and impact of calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate nanoparticles dispersed in (i) propan-2-ol and (ii) cyclohexane on a parchment book cover dated 1570. The cover showed signs of damage resulting from contact with iron gall inks and low pH values (∼4-5). Protocols for the damage assessment of collagen in parchment as developed in the IDAP project (Improved Damage Assessment of Parchment) were used to evaluate the impact of the conservation treatments on parchment. Preliminary results have shown that the application of calcium-based nanoparticles did not produce any adverse effects on the state of preservation of collagen. In addition, positive outcomes emerged: the pH was re-adjusted to a neutral value, a strengthening and consolidation effect was observed, and the nanoparticles exhibited a protective action upon artificial ageing of the treated parchment.
| Translated title of the contribution | Insights From the NANOforArt Project: Application of Calcium-Based Nanoparticle Dispersions for Improved Preservation of Parchment Documents |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 143-158 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Restaurator |
| Volume | 43 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2022 |
Keywords
- alkaline nanoparticles
- conservation treatment
- parchment
- pH adjustment