Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art
Abstract Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels hav...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SpringerOpen
2020-10-01
|
| Series: | Heritage Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40494-020-00447-3 |
| _version_ | 1819084492411764736 |
|---|---|
| author | Ehab Al-Emam Hilde Soenen Joost Caen Koen Janssens |
| author_facet | Ehab Al-Emam Hilde Soenen Joost Caen Koen Janssens |
| author_sort | Ehab Al-Emam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behavior, and the self-healing behavior of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with low polarity solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators’ tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T20:49:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e5ff130790884726ac9ddb9d486aefc2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7445 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T20:49:19Z |
| publishDate | 2020-10-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-e5ff130790884726ac9ddb9d486aefc22022-12-21T18:50:45ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452020-10-018111410.1186/s40494-020-00447-3Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of artEhab Al-Emam0Hilde Soenen1Joost Caen2Koen Janssens3Department of Conservation, Faculty of Archaeology, Sohag UniversityNynas NVARCHES, Faculty of Design Sciences, University of AntwerpAXES, Faculty of Science, University of AntwerpAbstract Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behavior, and the self-healing behavior of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with low polarity solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators’ tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40494-020-00447-3CleaningConservationHydrogelsPolyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose double network (PVA-B/AG DN)Rheology |
| spellingShingle | Ehab Al-Emam Hilde Soenen Joost Caen Koen Janssens Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art Heritage Science Cleaning Conservation Hydrogels Polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose double network (PVA-B/AG DN) Rheology |
| title | Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art |
| title_full | Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art |
| title_short | Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art |
| title_sort | characterization of polyvinyl alcohol borax agarose pva b ag double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art |
| topic | Cleaning Conservation Hydrogels Polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose double network (PVA-B/AG DN) Rheology |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40494-020-00447-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ehabalemam characterizationofpolyvinylalcoholboraxagarosepvabagdoublenetworkhydrogelutilizedforthecleaningofworksofart AT hildesoenen characterizationofpolyvinylalcoholboraxagarosepvabagdoublenetworkhydrogelutilizedforthecleaningofworksofart AT joostcaen characterizationofpolyvinylalcoholboraxagarosepvabagdoublenetworkhydrogelutilizedforthecleaningofworksofart AT koenjanssens characterizationofpolyvinylalcoholboraxagarosepvabagdoublenetworkhydrogelutilizedforthecleaningofworksofart |