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This research demonstrates the application of methylcellulose (MC) as a gelator for cleaning acrylic painted surfaces. Highly thickened methylcellulose gels were predominantly tested to investigate the residue left after cleaning. The function of methylcellulose as a molecular trap was also assessed to minimize the clearance issue. The presence of residue, the efficacy of the methylcellulose as a cleaning agent and its physical impact on the paint surfaces were investigated using a digital microscope in normal, raking, and ultraviolet lights. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to study the compositional and topographical changes on the paint surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode to observe the presence of residues after complete removal of the gelling agent. The experimental results indicated a minimum interaction of methylcellulose on the paint surface as the concentration increases in the gel formulation. The super-thickened hydrogels also worked like molecular traps useful for removal of soiling from the painted surfaces.

The copper slags collected during the excavation of the Early Harappan period site at Kunal in northern India were studied to understand the advancement of smelting technology and the achieved smelting temperature in the furnace by undertaking archaeometallurgical characterisation of the slags. In this research, two types of slags such as slag with glassy appearance and granulated slag were selected for the study. The microscopic structure and distribution of slag components were investigated using optical microscopy and phase determination was done by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Chemical characterization of the slags was conducted using scanning electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry to build a complete chemical profile of the slags. Fayalite and magnetite were the dominant phases in the glassy slag; however, the granulated slag showed the dominance of calcite as secondary phase which reflected the dolomitic stoichiometry of the slag. The presence of dominant fayalite mineral phase as detected by XRD and higher concentration of iron as detected by XRF indicated the reducing environment during the smelting process. In this study, the absence of sulphur is reported which is unique to the ancient copper slag.