Claudia Mazzuca1, Laura Micheli2, Marilena Carbone1, Francesco Basoli1, Eleonora Cervelli1, Simonetta Iannuccelli3, Silvia Sotgiu3, Antonio Palleschi1. 1. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00173 Rome, Italy. 2. Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00173 Rome, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Biostrutture e Biosistemi "INBB", Viale Medaglie d'Oro 305, 00136 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: laura.micheli@uniroma2.it. 3. Laboratorio di Restauro, Istituto Centrale per il Restauro e la Conservazione del Patrimonio Archivistico e Librario (ICRCPAL), Via Milano 76, 00184 Rome, Italy.
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS: Wet cleaning of ancient papers is one of the most critical steps during a conservation treatment. It is used to improve the optical qualities of a graphic work and remove dust and by-products resulting from cellulose degradation. Nevertheless, washing treatment usually involves a substantial impact on the original morphological structure of paper and can sometimes be dangerous for water sensitive inks and pigments. EXPERIMENTS: The use of rigid hydrogel of Gellan gum as an alternative paper cleaning treatment is developed. The application of a rigid hydrogel minimizes damages caused by the use of water, and therefore is much more respectful for the original integrity of ancient paper. FINDINGS: Gellan hydrogel has been used to clean paper samples belonging to different centuries (from XVI to XIX) and therefore, characterized by a different story in terms of degradation condition and paper composition. Several techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and pH measurements, has been employed to assess the effectiveness and safety of the proposed cleaning method.
HYPOTHESIS: Wet cleaning of ancient papers is one of the most critical steps during a conservation treatment. It is used to improve the optical qualities of a graphic work and remove dust and by-products resulting from cellulose degradation. Nevertheless, washing treatment usually involves a substantial impact on the original morphological structure of paper and can sometimes be dangerous for water sensitive inks and pigments. EXPERIMENTS: The use of rigid hydrogel of Gellan gum as an alternative paper cleaning treatment is developed. The application of a rigid hydrogel minimizes damages caused by the use of water, and therefore is much more respectful for the original integrity of ancient paper. FINDINGS: Gellan hydrogel has been used to clean paper samples belonging to different centuries (from XVI to XIX) and therefore, characterized by a different story in terms of degradation condition and paper composition. Several techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and pH measurements, has been employed to assess the effectiveness and safety of the proposed cleaning method.
Authors: Rosangela Mastrangelo; David Chelazzi; Giovanna Poggi; Emiliano Fratini; Luciano Pensabene Buemi; Maria Laura Petruzzellis; Piero Baglioni Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2020-03-09 Impact factor: 11.205