Potentials and Limits of Oxidative Photocatalysisand Possible Applications in the Field of Cultural Heritage

Abstract

The preservation of religious art work sees the coexistence of opposing needs: first of all the fruition of the works themselves. This is ensured by promoting accessibility to a wider audience and setting up environments improving both the visibility of artifacts and well-being of guests. The second is the obvious need to protect objects exposed to the degradation caused by environmental factors. This can be reachead by creating suitable conditions for their own preservation. The works of art are made up of antique and composite materials ; their proper preservation advices vary from case to case according to the kind of materials they are made of. In many cases the ideal environmental conditions for the objects are not compatible with the most appropriate ones for the audience. Usually the compromise solution is not so simple also because the is often object to physical contact by the faithful , subjected to frequent expositions and microclimate changes related to temperature and humidity excursions and connected to the presence of total suspended particulate (TSP) mainly from intensive uncombusted residue smoking from incense and votive candles.