On the potential of using nanocellulose for consolidation of painting canvases

Abstract

Nanocellulose has been recently proposed as a novel consolidant for historical papers. Its use for painting canvas consolidation, however, remains unexplored. Here, we show for the first time how different nanocelluloses, namely mechanically isolated cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibrils (CCNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), act as a bio-based alternative to synthetic resins and other conventional canvas consolidants. Importantly, we demonstrate that compared to some traditional consolidants, all tested nanocelluloses provided reinforcement in the adequate elongation regime. CCNF showed the best consolidation per added weight; however, it had to be handled at very low solids content compared to other nanocelluloses, exposing canvases to larger water volumes. CNC reinforced the least per added weight but could be used in more concentrated suspensions, giving the strongest consolidation after an equivalent number of coatings. CNF performed between CNC and CCNF. All nanocelluloses showed better consolidation than lining with synthetic adhesive (Beva 371) and linen canvas in the elongation region of interest.

Novel nanomaterials to stabilise the canvas support of paintings assessed from a conservator’s point of view

“…CUT produced three water-based consolidants: CUT I (+) and CUT II (−), which are nanosilica-based and consolidate at the fibre level (numbers 1 and 2 in Table 1, respectively), and CUT CNF (number 3 in Table 1), which contains cellulose nanofibrils and consolidates at the thread level (the consolidant stays more on the surface of the canvas) [33].…”

“…This was a subjective type of evaluation, where conservators compared their experience of the new products with that of the materials they have already used in conservation. The quantification of the mechanical improvement and of the deacidifying ability of the products has been analysed elsewhere [31][32][33][34].…”

“…The canvas (with the added products) must support the ground and paint layers and limit the movements of these rigid layers to avoid permanent deformation that occurs long before the formation of cracks [33].…”

“…The conservators' opinions are important because if they consider that a product lacks good handling properties or has undesired effects on the object, they will not use it. These same new nanoparticle-based products have also been tested by other researchers regarding aspects such as mechanical improvement and deacidifying capacity [31][32][33][34].…”

Nanocellulose in Biotechnology and Medicine: Focus on Skin Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing

“…The following part of this review is focused more deeply on applications of nanocellulose in tissue engineering, tissue repair and wound healing. [79,94] Toxic dyes (methylene blue, Congo Red) [30,95] Mefenamic acid (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a potential endocrine disruptor) [96] Oily substances [31,84] Insecticides (neonicotinoids in milk) [97] Immobilization of atoms and (bio) molecules Metal catalysts (copper) [98] Proteins (bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, γ-globulin, and human IgG [77] Enzymes (trypsin, laccase, lysozyme, lipase) [61,[99][100][101] Ingested lipids (obesity management) [102] DNA oligomers [103] (Ultra)filtration Removal of toxic dyes Methylene blue, methylene orange, rhodamine [104] Hemodialysis membranes Nanofibrillated cellulose with polypyrrole [105] Removal of viruses Swine influenza virus [74] Murine leukemia virus [106] Bacteriophages [78] Packaging Food, sensitive [108] Thermal applications Thermal insulators Wood-derived nanofibrils with extremely low thermal conductivity [109] Fire retardants Wood-derived cellulose nanofibrils with silica nanoparticles [110] Wood-derived nanocellulose with montmorillonite clay [59] Energy extraction and storage…”