Twin-chain polymer hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) as new advanced tool for the cleaning of modern and contemporary art

Rosangela Mastrangelo, David Chelazzi, Giovanna Poggi, Emiliano Fratini, Luciano Pensabene Buemi, Maria Laura Petruzzellis and Piero Baglioni ()
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Rosangela Mastrangelo: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy
David Chelazzi: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy
Giovanna Poggi: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy
Emiliano Fratini: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy
Luciano Pensabene Buemi: Conservation Department, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Dorsoduro 701, I-30123 Venice, Italy
Maria Laura Petruzzellis: Conservation Department, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Dorsoduro 701, I-30123 Venice, Italy
Piero Baglioni: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase (Center for Colloid and Surface Science), University of Florence, I-50019 Florence, Italy

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2020, vol. 117, issue 13, 7011-7020

Abstract: Conservation of our cultural heritage is fundamental for conveying to future generations our culture, traditions, and ways of thinking and behaving. Cleaning art, in particular modern/contemporary paintings, with traditional tools could be risky and impractical, particularly on large collections of important works to be transferred to future generations. We report on advanced cleaning systems, based on twin-chain polymer networks made of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) chains, semiinterpenetrated (semi-IPN) with PVA of lower molecular weight (L-PVA). Interpenetrating L-PVA causes a change from gels with oriented channels to sponge-like semi-IPNs with disordered interconnected pores, conferring different gel (and solvent) dynamics. These features grant residue-free, time efficient cleaning capacity and effective dirt capture, defeating risks for the artifact, making possible a safer treatment of important collections, unconceivable with conventional methods. We report as an example the conservation of Jackson Pollock’s masterpieces, cleaned in a controlled way, safety and selectivity with unprecedented performance.

Keywords: poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel; semiinterpenetrated gels networks; modern art; contemporary art (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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