Study of the composition and the state of conservation of the Marzari’s collection XX century Cinematographic Films

Cinematographic films are historical materials originally manufactured with cellulose nitrate and, later, with cellulose acetate due to the former’s high flammability. In film production, various plasticizers were added to the cellulosic base to provide the mechanical properties required for proper handling and smooth transport through projectors. However, both the cellulose-based substrates and the plasticizers are highly prone to degradation, often through interacting and overlapping mechanisms. In this study, four severely degraded films from the Fondo Marzari, were examined using a multi-technical analytical approach that included microscopic investigations, spectroscopic techniques, thermogravimetric analysis coupled with calorimetry, and pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). The aim was to characterize the materials, provide new insights into their degradation pathways, and propose potential strategies for conservation, ultimately contributing to improved digital restoration practices.