Sol-gel based coatings for the protection of cultural heritage textiles

V Trovato,G Rosace,C Colleoni,V Migani,M R Plutino,S Sfameni

doi:10.1088/1757-899x/777/1/012007

Abstract

In this paper, the procedure for the development of sol-gel silica coatings for the protection of cultural heritage textiles, using a multistep approach, is described. With this aim, Tetraethoxysilane precursor was used at two different concentrations to realize coatings onto textile samples, using Dibutyltindiacetate as polycondensation catalyst for sol-gel reactions. The relationship between the presence of the catalyst, the number of coating layers deposited on cotton fabrics, and the influence of such architecture on several properties of treated textiles, were investigated. In particular, the chemical structure of thin films and their morphology were studied by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The thermo-oxidative properties and the abrasion resistance of sol-gel treated cotton fabrics were studied, as well as the durability of the coatings after different washing cycles. Both silica coatings provided high adhesion onto cotton textiles, while the higher silica concentration resulted in higher thermal stability and washing fastness of treated fabrics. An enhancement in the washing fastness and abrasion resistance for the two different concentrations of precursor in the presence of the catalyst was also observed. All experimental findings demonstrated the efficiency of sol-gel based materials specifically tailored to the protection and preservation of cultural heritage textiles.

Highlights

Ancient and archaeological textiles are a precious historical-artistic heritage, which must be protected against the deterioration with time induced by environmental agents, such as light, temperature and humidity changes, as well as atmospheric pollutants
Add-on of treated cotton fabrics and chemical composition of TEOS coatings Treated cotton fabrics were studied by means of gravimetric tests as a function of different TEOS concentrations, numbers of applied layers and presence of the catalyst as last layer
The strategy performed for the development of TEOS thin coatings for application onto cotton fabrics according to a multi-layer architecture (1 to 6 layers) for the protection of cultural heritage textiles was described in this study

Summary

Introduction

Ancient and archaeological textiles are a precious historical-artistic heritage, which must be protected against the deterioration with time induced by environmental agents, such as light, temperature and humidity changes, as well as atmospheric pollutants. The materials employed in the preservation or restoration of textiles with historical and artistic value, are commercial products, with properties not developed for the conservation of natural polymers [1,2]. Recent scientific advances led to a wide array of new coatings based on nanostructured materials tailored for conservation and protection of the cultural heritage. Many scientific reports are concerning the application of such materials, synthesized by the sol-gel method, in the conservation and consolidation of stones and glasses [4].

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