Abstract
The development of innovative materials is one of the most important focus areas in heritage conservation research. Eligible materials can not only protect the physical and chemical integrity of artworks but also preserve their artistic and aesthetic features. Recently, as one of the hot research topics in materials science, biomimetic superhydrophobic materials have gradually attracted the attention of conservation scientists due to their unique properties. In fact, ultra-repellent materials are particularly suitable for hydrophobization treatments on outdoor artworks. Owing to their excellent hydrophobicity, superhydrophobic materials can effectively prevent the absorption and penetration of liquid water as well as the condensation of water vapor, thus greatly relieving water-induced decay phenomena. Moreover, in the presence of liquid water, the superhydrophobic surfaces equipped with a self-cleaning property can clean the dirt and dust deposited spontaneously, thereby restoring the artistic features simultaneously. In the present paper, besides the basic principles of wetting on solid surfaces, materials, and methods reported for preparing bioinspired ultra-repellent materials, the recently proposed materials for art conservation are also introduced and critically reviewed, along with a discussion on the droplet impact and durability of the artificial superhydrophobic surfaces. Lastly, the current status and the problems encountered in practical application are also pointed out, and the focus of future research is presented as well.
Highlights
Surface water inhibition treatment is an indispensable action that has been widely used for the conservation and restoration of various types of artworks which include stones, ceramics, mortars, woods, bronzes, etc., since liquid water has been regarded as one of the most fundamental causes accounting for their degradation
Bioinspired ultra water-/oil-repellent surfaces with a self-cleaning property are the most ideal materials for protecting almost all kinds of stones artworks (e.g., stone objects, historical buildings, materials for protecting almost all kinds of stones artworks, and the reasons are threefold: (1) liquid water adhesion, penetration, and vapor mortars, plasters, etc.), and the reasons are threefold: (1) liquid water adhesion, penetration, and condensation are inhibited on such surfaces, and water-driven damaging effects are prevented; vapor condensation are inhibited on such surfaces, and water-driven damaging effects are
(2) undesirable surface depositions e.g., atmospheric pollutants, dust, bird droppings, etc., can be prevented; (2) undesirable surface depositions e.g., atmospheric pollutants, dust, bird droppings, etc., removed, exploiting the self-cleaning properties in the presence of liquid water; (3) risks of suffering can be removed, exploiting the self-cleaning properties in the presence of liquid water; (3) risks of from biological colonization are dramatically reduced, since spores and pollen are absent or deprived suffering from biological colonization are dramatically reduced, since spores and pollen are absent of water which is necessary for germination
Summary
Surface water inhibition treatment is an indispensable action that has been widely used for the conservation and restoration of various types of artworks which include stones, ceramics, mortars, woods, bronzes, etc., since liquid water has been regarded as one of the most fundamental causes accounting for their degradation. Starting from the 21st century, some innovative materials such as structurally modified acrylic polymers and PFPEs, organic–inorganic hybrids, nano-scaled and microemulsions of some polymers, and nanoparticle composites, etc., have being proposed and tested [14,15,16,17,18,19,20] These products usually show good chemical and physical compatibility, good adhesion, and good solubility, and in some cases a good consolidation effect [9,10,16]. They have drawbacks in long-term use (e.g., low photo-oxidative stability, biodegradation, irreversibility) [10,16,21,22,23,24] Their hydrophobicity and performance durability are not sufficient for protecting stones in outdoor environments, as black crusts, dust, dirt depositions, and biological growth are frequently seen on some coated stone statues, buildings, mortars, etc.
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