Nanomaterials for the Conservation of Heritage Structures

Dear Colleague,

Nanomaterials represent a stage of matter between agglomerated molecules and structures, typically characterized by a large surface area that affects their physicochemical properties. One of the directions for the use of nanomaterials, nowadays, is the preservation of cultural heritage, in accordance to the basic principle of minimum intervention. Nanomaterials are becoming more widely used for the protection of Cultural Heritage structures, but they are a long way from being routine treatments. Probably the major barrier to this is the fact that treatments have to be tailored not only to the particular substrate, but also to the surrounding environment. In addition, some recently concerns are related to optimize the synthesis procedure to allow for a sustainable action of the entire cycle, from synthesis to application.

The innovative conservation strategies of the wide cultural heritage (from paintings on canvas or table, mural paintings, glasses, mosaics, ceramics, stones, marbles, historic mortars, …), based on the use and the design of nanomaterials could include:

• Treatment of surfaces (protection, waterproofing, self-cleaning)
• Consolidation and protection of natural stones and historic mortars by means of compatible and eco-friendly products
• Deacidification treatments of ancient papers and woods
• Materials and innovative processes against raising of humidity and against sulfation for the conservation and/or restoration interventions on art manufactures of different nature

In this Issue, the results coming from the most recent researches in these areas are collected, taking into account innovative and possibly sustainable procedures, together with examples of real applications, from laboratory to on-site as well, and efficacy testing on historic and artistic works of arts (natural stones, ancient paper and wood, historic mortars, and so on).

Dr. Giuliana Taglieri
Dr. Ludovico Macera
Dr. Valeria Daniele
Guest Editors

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• Consolidation and protective treatments on historic substrates
• Natural stones
• Historic mortars
• Nanomaterials for cultural heritage
• Oxide Nanoparticles
• Hydroxide nanoparticles
• Ancient wood and paper conservative treatments
• Laboratory and on-site nanomaterials applications