Newly Developed Nano-Calcium Carbonate and Nano-Calcium Propanoate for the Deacidification of Library and Archival Materials

Abstract

Paper-based cultural heritage objects are subject to natural deterioration due to internal and external factors, that is, the presence of heavy metals, incorrect conservation, humidity, exposure of the artifacts to pollutants, light, and high temperatures. To contrast the decay of the original objects, it is necessary to study and apply innovative specific techniques, set up novel preservation methodologies, and implement or synthesize new products. As the nanomaterial science field developed over the last decades, the usage of nanomaterials in cultural heritage gained a prominent role. Such an excitement for the novel materials opened the path for an uncontrolled transfer of nanoparticles developed for different applications to paper restoration, neglecting all their possible interactions with the support or the graphic media. The aim of this work was to synthesize new nanomaterials expressly conceived for the treatment of library materials. To evaluate their possible insertion in the official conservation treatments that are subjected to validation by Istituto Centrale Restauro e Conservazione Patrimonio Archivistico e Librario, the new nanomaterials were tested both on laboratory paper samples and on original documents. This work presents the results of these studies (some of which still preliminary) stressing the positive and extremely promising outcomes of this research.

Evaluation of the condition of a Mamluk-illuminated paper manuscript at Al-Azhar Library, Egypt

“…The external factors come from inappropriate environmental conditions (such as fluctuation in relative humidity and temperature, excess light, gaseous pollutants and particulates) (Bicchieri et al , 2017). Microorganisms and insects can attack the historical manuscripts through the secretion of organic acids and hydrolytic enzymes (Fouda et al , 2021).…”

Comparison of Trimethylsilyl Cellulose-Stabilized Carbonate and Hydroxide Nanoparticles for Deacidification and Strengthening of Cellulose-Based Cultural Heritage

“…CaCO 3 NPs are chosen in this work as they are naturally used as a pigment to fill the microvoids and to increase opacity in paper . In particular, the nanosized CaCO 3 has been spotted as a potential deacidifying agent in paper conservation in recent years. − In addition to CaCO 3 NPs, we used TMSC-stabilized Mg­(OH) 2 NPs and the results obtained are compared with the performance of CaCO 3 NP/TMSC coating from a fresh perspective using a wide range of surface and bulk analytical tools. TMSC is highly beneficial in paper conservation as it can provide good compatibility and strength to paper due to its chemical and structural similarities to cellulose, the main component of paper.…”

Effect of CaCO3 nanoparticles on the microstructure and fracture toughness of ceramic nanocomposites

“…CaCO 3 nanoparticles represent a new class of calcium carbonate compound (limestone) that has recently attracted considerable attention in various applications in the industry, including; medicine, paper industry, polymer composites, and building materials [31][32][33][34]. In medicine, studies have indicated that CaCO 3 nanoparticles have unique advantages such as low toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, pH-sensitivity, and osteoconductivity.…”