Self-Shaping Microemulsion Gels for Cultural Relic Cleaning

Abstract

Cleaning is a foundational and essential operation of protection and restoration of cultural relics, which is also the key step of follow-up works. To overcome the problems of uncontrollable diffusion of cleaning solvents and poor coverage of the cleaning solvent carriers on rough surfaces, here, we propose a strategy of using a self-shaping microemulsion gel that is prepared via emulsifying oleophilic solvents into the specific shear-thinning hydrogel structures. The gel can adaptively cover rough surfaces during the cleaning process coupled with avoidance of unnecessary diffusion of the cleaning solvents, and the mechanical reinforcement of in situ polymerized double-network gels enables its easy peeling off from the surfaces without leaving determinable residues. As a representative demonstration, Paraloid B72, a widely used material for the repair and reinforcement of cultural relics, is employed as a model discolored coating, which can be effectively removed from the rough surface of simulated cultural relics after treatment with the resulting gels. Convincingly, the strategy of constructing agarose/polyacrylamide hybrid double-network gels with shear-thinning and self-shaping performances for the cleaning of cultural relics not only improves the convenience and accuracy of operation but also exhibits an efficient cleaning effect, which will greatly expand the application of microemulsion gels in the cleaning of rough surfaces of cultural relics.

Recent Advancement in Quantum Dot Modified Layered Double Hydroxide towards Photocatalytic, Electrocatalytic, and Photoelectrochemical Applications

“…Their high surface area, tunable energy levels, and efficient charge transfer make them excellent catalysts for electrochemical reactions, enhancing reaction rates and selectivity in fuel cells and electrolysis, offering promise for clean energy technologies. Their quantum confinement effects result in tunable bandgap energies, which enable them to absorb and emit light at specific wavelengths, making them suitable for use in different applications [47,48] . SQD‐modified LDHs represent a novel hybrid material.…”

“…The research society has shown immense interest in utilizing the fullerenes dots for the fabrication of heterostructure material because of its unresolved physicochemical characteristics and stability. The incorporation of Fullerene QD into the LDH network could produce new attuned interfacial active sites consequently accelerating the electronic transfer between both LDH and Fullerene QD materials, thus improving the electrocatalytic properties of the nanohybrid material [47–49] By taking this fact, Wang et al. designed a novel nano heterostructure composed of fullerene quantum dot anchored on a CoNi LDH nanosheet array self–supported on porous Ni foam (FQD/CoNi−LDH/NF) through a self–assembly hydrothermal method.…”

Temporary Consolidation of Marine Artifact Based on Polyvinyl Alcohol/Tannic Acid Reversible Hydrogel

“…Wolbers initially used polyacrylic acid as a gelling agent to eliminate dust and coatings from the surface of oil paintings [ 23 ]. Subsequently, hydrogels were used for the purpose of cleaning stone surfaces [ 24 ], metal [ 25 ], frescoes [ 26 ], and other artifacts. The sol–gel transition is a significant characteristic of hydrogels, allowing the formation of bonding interfaces with different materials [ 27 ].…”

Microemulsified Gel Formulations for Topical Delivery of Clotrimazole: Structural and In Vitro Evaluation

“…Various gelling agents such as carrageenan, gellan gum, isubgol, xanthan gum, and carbomer have been used to optimize the viscosity of the formulations and thus increase the retention time and efficiency, thereby resulting in a faster release of the drug compared to the available conventional formulations. [28][29][30][31][32][33]76,77 In this study, functional nanoparticles of Clotrimazole-loaded microemulsified gels (CTZ-μEGs) were prepared using the biocompatible components and further evaluated for an in vitro permeation release study.…”

“…In this way, it minimizes the barrier function of the stratum corneum and opens a pore or passage for the active ingredient to be transported through the skin, which further increases the permeability of the active ingredient. − The main problem associated with μE-based drug delivery is low viscosity, which leads to lower drug retention. Various gelling agents such as carrageenan, gellan gum, isubgol, xanthan gum, and carbomer have been used to optimize the viscosity of the formulations and thus increase the retention time and efficiency, thereby resulting in a faster release of the drug compared to the available conventional formulations. − ,, In this study, functional nanoparticles of Clotrimazole-loaded microemulsified gels (CTZ-μEGs) were prepared using the biocompatible components and further evaluated for an in vitro permeation release study.…”