Evaluation of a Primal AC33–silver nanocomposite for the conservation of historical textiles

Purpose Historical textiles dyed with natural or synthetic dyes in museum collections suffer from various forms of deterioration that threaten their integrity and long-term sustainability. Inappropriate restoration materials and harsh conservation methods may cause irreversible damage to these rare artifacts. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate new conservation approaches that enhance the preservation and sustainability of historical woolen textiles without negatively affecting their physical, chemical or aesthetic properties. Design/methodology/approach Modern woolen textiles were dyed to simulate historical museum textiles using synthetic dyes (picric acid, Orange II and phenyl azo resorcinol) and natural dyes (safflower dye and a mixture of madder and turmeric with iron, alum and copper mordants). A nanocomposite of Primal AC33 with Ag NPs was applied to the dyed woolen textiles. The treated samples were then subjected to accelerated light and thermal aging. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated using several analytical techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, CIE Lab* color measurements and color strength (K/S) analysis. Findings The results demonstrated that the Primal AC33/silver nanocomposite provided effective protection to the woolen textiles, improving their resistance to aging while maintaining their mechanical, chemical and coloristic properties. The treatment showed minimal adverse effects on fiber structure and color stability, indicating its suitability as a safe and innovative conservation method. These findings suggest that the proposed approach can be easily applied in museum conservation practices and can significantly contribute to the sustainable preservation of historical textiles. Originality/value This study presents an innovative conservation approach through the application of a Primal AC33/silver nanocomposite on woolen textiles dyed with both natural and synthetic dyes. Unlike traditional restoration materials that may cause irreversible damage, the proposed method offers a safer and more sustainable alternative. The research uniquely combines nanotechnology with textile conservation and evaluates its effectiveness using comprehensive analytical techniques after accelerated aging. The findings provide practical, easily applicable solutions for museum conservation and contribute valuable scientific insight into the long-term preservation of rare historical textiles