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Sol–Gel Materials for Art Conservation

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Handbook of Sol-Gel Science and Technology

Abstract

The preservation of the world’s cultural heritage requires a thorough knowledge of its constitutive material (wood, stone, glass, etc.), the degradation processes, and an understanding of the properties of the materials used in its conservation. In this chapter, we explore inorganic and organic–inorganic sol–gel formulations of interest to conservators, for potential uses on stained glass, stone, or metal substrates exposed to corrosive outdoor environment. Regarding inorganic sol–gel materials, the use of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in conservation is not new, and the use of silicon precursors in the treatment of stone can be traced back to 1926. Another application is the removal of toxic organics within the wood using a TiO2 precursor, based on its photocatalytic properties to decompose the organics. Regarding hybrid sol–gel materials, methyltrialkoxysilanes are probably the most studied alkoxysilanes in conservation. More complex alkoxysilanes such as (3-alkoxypropyl) triethoxy- and (3-alkoxypropyl) diethoxy-methylsilanes were studied as hydrophilic, elastic stone consolidants. In the treatment of organic surfaces such as wood, some alkoxysilanes can provide some antimicrobial properties, as for example 3-(trimethoxysilyl) Pr di-Me octadecyl ammonium chloride in combination with TEOS. A case study is also explored: the use of organic–inorganic hybrids applied in the treatment of a medieval glass in an outdoors mosaic in Prague.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    E. P. Bescher

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, UCLA, HSSEAS School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, 410 Westwood Plaza, 3111 Engineering V, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1595, USA

    J. D. Mackenzie

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  1. E. P. Bescher
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  2. J. D. Mackenzie
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Correspondence to E. P. Bescher .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA

    Lisa Klein

  2. Madrid, Spain

    Mario Aparicio

  3. City University of New York, New York, USA

    Andrei Jitianu

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Bescher, E.P., Mackenzie, J.D. (2017). Sol–Gel Materials for Art Conservation. In: Klein, L., Aparicio, M., Jitianu, A. (eds) Handbook of Sol-Gel Science and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19454-7_153-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19454-7_153-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-19454-7

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