Proof-of-Concept Study on the Feasibility of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide-Assisted Consolidation Treatment for a Pair of Goalkeeper Gloves on Synthetic Latex-Based Foam Mock-Ups

Joana Tomás Ferreira, Angelica Bartoletti (), Susana França de Sá, Anita Quye, Yvonne Shashoua, Teresa Casimiro and Joana Lia Ferreira ()
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Joana Tomás Ferreira: LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Angelica Bartoletti: LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Susana França de Sá: LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Anita Quye: Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research, School of Culture and Creative Arts, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QH, UK
Yvonne Shashoua: Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Teresa Casimiro: LAQV-REQUIMTE and Department of Chemistry, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal
Joana Lia Ferreira: CIUHCT—Interuniversity Center for the History of Sciences and Technology and Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, Portugal

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-25

Abstract: This work investigates the suitability of supercritical fluid technology for designing a safe, efficient and sustainable consolidation treatment for a pair of heavily degraded goalkeeper gloves. Traditional methods have revealed themselves as unsafe and inefficient, leading to material loss and a minimal enhancement of surface cohesion. To overcome these limitations, the use of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) was explored in a treatment, where scCO 2 behaves as a green solvent and consolidant carrier. In-depth and homogeneous application of the consolidant, without the need for direct contact with the foam material, was sought. As a proof of concept, the procedure was tested on samples that mimic the synthetic latex-based foam composition and condition of the object. Poly(vinyl acetate) was selected as a consolidant because its behaviour and solubility in scCO 2 are known. Several experimental conditions were explored to assess the impact and feasibility of the scCO 2 -assisted consolidation procedure. Empirical observations, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy were used to monitor potential modifications in the samples and assess the treatment efficacy. The results highlighted the advantages and pitfalls of scCO 2 -assisted consolidation, paving the way for fine-tuning the process. It neither damaged the fragile surfaces of the foam samples nor increased material loss, which is an advantage compared to traditional treatments. The performed analysis suggested that homogeneous impregnation of the foams was achieved. This study might be a turning point in the conservation of foam-based museum objects, as the results indicate the suitability of the scCO 2 -assisted consolidation process as a non-toxic and more efficient alternative, being safer for the object.

Keywords: supercritical CO 2; impregnation; poly(vinyl acetate); sustainable conservation; cultural heritage; modern and contemporary materials; synthetic polymer materials; historical plastic objects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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