New Methodologies for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Micellar Solutions, Microemulsions, and Hydroxide Nanoparticles

Modern civilization's inherited artworks have a powerful impact on society, from political, sociological, and anthropological points of view, so the conservation of our Cultural Heritage is fundamental for conveying to future generations our culture, traditions, and ways of thinking and behaving. In the conservation of cultural artifacts, scientists intervene in the degradation of often unique handcrafts, resulting from a delicate balance of aging, unpredicted events, environmental conditions, and sometimes incorrect previous restoration treatments, the details of which are often not precisely known. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are revolutionizing materials science in a pervasive way, in a manner similar to polymer chemistry's revolution of materials science over the preceding century. The continuous development of novel nanoparticle-based materials and the study of physicochemical phenomena at the nanoscale are creating new approaches to conservation science, leading to new methodologies that can "revert" the degradation processes of the works of art, in most cases "restoring" them to their original magnificent appearance. Until recently, serendipity and experiment have been the most frequent design principles of formulations for either cleaning or consolidation of works of art. Accordingly, the past has witnessed a number of actively detrimental treatments, such as the application of acrylic and vinyl resins to wall paintings, which can irreversibly jeopardize the appearance (or even the continued existence) of irreplaceable works of art. Current research activity in conservation science is largely based on the paradigm that compatibility of materials is the most important prerequisite for obtaining excellent and durable results. The most advanced current methodologies are (i) the use of water-based micelles and microemulsions (neat or combined with gels) for the removal of accidental contaminants and polymers used in past restorations and (ii) the application of calcium hydroxide nanoparticles for the consolidation of works of art. In this Account, we highlight how conservation science can benefit from the conceptual and the methodological background derived from both soft (microemulsions and micelles for cleaning) and hard (nanoparticles for consolidation) nanoscience. A combination of different nanotechnologies allows today's conservators to provide, in each restoration step, interventions respectful of the physicochemical characteristics of the materials used by artists. The "palette" of methods provided by nanoscience is continuously enriching the field, and the development of novel nanomaterials and the study of nanoscale physicochemical phenomena will further improve the performance of restoration formulations and our comprehension of degradation mechanisms.