Hybrid fibroin-nanocellulose composites for the consolidation of aged and historical silk

New horizons on advanced nanoscale materials for Cultural Heritage conservation

“…85,87,88 Finally, nanoscale materials like metal (or metal oxide) particles, nanocarriers, and inorganic-organic hybrids have been explored in the past few years to counteract microorganisms, corrosion, environmental pollutants (as acetic acid), and weathering, or to provide mechanical consolidation. Some examples include silver 89,90 or titanium dioxide nanoparticles, 91,92 and zinc oxide micro-or nanoparticles, [93][94][95] also embedded in polymer matrices, layered double hydroxides nanocarriers, 96 mesoporous silica nanoparticles, 97 halloysite nanotubes, 98,99 cellulose nanocrystals/fibrils or lignin nanoparticles, 100 cellulose-fibroin colloidal dispersions, 101 and starch nanoparticles. 102 These examples are representative of the potential that nanoscience and colloids have in the formulation of materials for the preservation of CH, with particular emphasis on bio-or biomimetic systems with enhanced properties and reduced ecotoxicity.…”

Tuning Local Order in Starch Nanoparticles Exploiting Nonsolvency with “Green” Solvents

“…Acceptable consolidation is achieved also with particles with lower local order before dispersion in water, indicating that the choice of synthetic routes can be mainly dictated by sustainability (lower water consumption or lower costs) and safety and scalability (lower flammability or ecotoxicological impact). The proposed SNP formulations candidate as valuable consolidants for canvas and easel paintings, alternative to bulk starch dispersions or detrimental synthetic adhesives, and complement inorganic particles or nanocomposites previously formulated for the consolidation and protection or works of art. ,,,− In addition, the possibility of feasibly tuning local order in the amorphous SNPs can positively affect fields like food chemistry, industrial packaging, pharmaceutics, drug delivery, nutraceuticals, and nanocomposites, where the use of amorphous starch with controlled physicochemical properties, rather than starch nanocrystals, has potential impact in numerous applications. ,, …”

“…Over the past decade, green chemistry has grown to become an imperative in the development of advanced materials in several scientific and technological fields spanning from food chemistry, cosmetics, catalysis, tissue engineering, detergency, drug-delivery, and pharmaceutics, up to recent applications of high socio-economic importance such as the use of colloids and soft matter for the remedial and preventive conservation of cultural heritage assets. − In these frameworks, biopolymers or solvents selected according to existing standards (e.g., the European REACH Regulation 1907/2006 14 – Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) represent ideal starting materials for processing and synthetic routes, as they can be used in new and safer approaches that comply with the need of reducing potential threats to human health or the environment …”

From Nanoparticles to Gels: A Breakthrough in Art Conservation Science

“…76 Colloidal compounds are also being developed for the consolidation of canvas paintings, where the need is to overcome the limitations of synthetic adhesives or natural glues that can alter the optical properties of painted layers or develop detrimental chemicals. 53 In particular, starch nanoparticles, 77 fibroin-nanocellulose hybrids, 78,79 or keratin mixed with halloysite nanotubes 80 have been recently proved to be promising consolidants or adhesives for paints and textiles, showing the great potential of biopolymers in the conservation of cultural heritage.…”