STUDY OF COATINGS FOR THE PROTECTION OF TEXTILES

Different formulations, mainly based on commercially available hydrophobic products Capstone®ST-100 and PDMS, have been applied to cellulosic materials aiming at protecting them from detriments due to humidity by increasing their water repellency. In this context, the Smart Materials Department of IIT in Genoa and the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice started a collaboration aimed at developing specific protective formulation based on commercially available products for the conservation of Cultural Heritage. This research investigates if formulations based on PDMS and Capstone®ST-100 functionalised with nanoparticles meet the requirements of conservation science. The main requirements are connected with physico-chemical and aesthetical issues, such as unchanging colour, vapour permeability rate, environmental friendly application and easy-to-apply treatments. Each of these parameters was analysed, first separately and then comparing their results to propose the best possible treatment to be applied to artworks.