scholarly journals Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehab Al-Emam ◽  
Hilde Soenen ◽  
Joost Caen ◽  
Koen Janssens

Abstract Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behavior, and the self-healing behavior of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with low polarity solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators’ tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehab Awad Al-Emam ◽  
Hilde Soenen ◽  
Joost Caen ◽  
Koen Janssens

Abstract Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behavior, and the self-healing behavior of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with low polarity solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators’ tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehab Awad Al-Emam ◽  
Hilde Soenen ◽  
Joost Caen ◽  
Koen Janssens

Abstract Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behavior, and the self-healing behavior of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with low polarity solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators’ tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehab Awad Al-Emam ◽  
Hilde Soenen ◽  
Joost Caen ◽  
Koen Janssens

Abstract Since cleaning of artworks is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning technique which has the ability to remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface and, if present, the original ‘patina’ of the surface layer. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators-restorers. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behaviour, and the self-healing behaviour of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with non-polar solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators-restorers’ tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications.


2021 ◽  
pp. 102450
Author(s):  
Shubin Li ◽  
Xiao Wang ◽  
Jiang Zhu ◽  
Zhenyu Wang ◽  
Lu Wang

2021 ◽  
pp. 51563
Author(s):  
Zhouqiang Zhang ◽  
Zishuo Ye ◽  
Feng Hu ◽  
Wenbo Wang ◽  
Shoujing Zhang ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Tian Lu ◽  
Qinxue Chen ◽  
Zeyu Liu

Although cyclo[18]carbon has been theoretically and experimentally investigated since long time ago, only very recently it was prepared and directly observed by means of STM/AFM in condensed phase (Kaiser et al., <i>Science</i>, <b>365</b>, 1299 (2019)). The unique ring structure and dual 18-center π delocalization feature bring a variety of unusual characteristics and properties to the cyclo[18]carbon, which are quite worth to be explored. In this work, we present an extremely comprehensive and detailed investigation on almost all aspects of the cyclo[18]carbon, including (1) Geometric characteristics (2) Bonding nature (3) Electron delocalization and aromaticity (4) Intermolecular interaction (5) Reactivity (6) Electronic excitation and UV/Vis spectrum (7) Molecular vibration and IR/Raman spectrum (8) Molecular dynamics (9) Response to external field (10) Electron ionization, affinity and accompanied process (11) Various molecular properties. We believe that our full characterization of the cyclo[18]carbon will greatly deepen researchers' understanding of this system, and thereby help them to utilize it in practice and design its various valuable derivatives.


Author(s):  
Tian Lu ◽  
Qinxue Chen ◽  
Zeyu Liu

Although cyclo[18]carbon has been theoretically and experimentally investigated since long time ago, only very recently it was prepared and directly observed by means of STM/AFM in condensed phase (Kaiser et al., <i>Science</i>, <b>365</b>, 1299 (2019)). The unique ring structure and dual 18-center π delocalization feature bring a variety of unusual characteristics and properties to the cyclo[18]carbon, which are quite worth to be explored. In this work, we present an extremely comprehensive and detailed investigation on almost all aspects of the cyclo[18]carbon, including (1) Geometric characteristics (2) Bonding nature (3) Electron delocalization and aromaticity (4) Intermolecular interaction (5) Reactivity (6) Electronic excitation and UV/Vis spectrum (7) Molecular vibration and IR/Raman spectrum (8) Molecular dynamics (9) Response to external field (10) Electron ionization, affinity and accompanied process (11) Various molecular properties. We believe that our full characterization of the cyclo[18]carbon will greatly deepen researchers' understanding of this system, and thereby help them to utilize it in practice and design its various valuable derivatives.


Author(s):  
Stefan Gründer

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-gated Na+ channels. Being almost ubiquitously present in neurons of the vertebrate nervous system, their precise function remained obscure for a long time. Various animal toxins that bind to ASICs with high affinity and specificity have been tremendously helpful in uncovering the role of ASICs. We now know that they contribute to synaptic transmission at excitatory synapses as well as to sensing metabolic acidosis and nociception. Moreover, detailed characterization of mouse models uncovered an unanticipated role of ASICs in disorders of the nervous system like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pathological pain. This review provides an overview on the expression, structure, and pharmacology of ASICs plus a summary of what is known and what is still unknown about their physiological functions and their roles in diseases.


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