Nanoclays for Conservation

Abstract

Within the conservation of artworks materials, this chapter describes innovative strategies based on clay nanoparticles that are promising for protective coating, surface cleaning, and consolidation. We present the preparation of polymer/montmorillonite nanocomposites, which are revealed as efficient protective coatings for highly porous stones, marbles, and bread-made artifacts. Anticorrosive films for metal substrates have been obtained by polymer filling with laponite and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) containing corrosion inhibitors into their lumen. The dispersion of hydrophobically modified HNTs into chitosan matrix drives to fabricate biofilms with surface cleaning capacity. Rust stains have been removed from marble samples by using laponite/cellulose fibers. Regarding the preservation of lignocellulosic artworks, composite systems based on sustainable polymers (cellulose ethers and beeswax) and HNTs have been successfully employed as consolidants of archaeological woods. Encapsulation of Ca(OH)2 into an HNT cavity has been explored for paper deacidification. In conclusion, we have summarized the nanoclay-based protocols used in conservation issues. © 2019 Copyright