On the potential of using nanocellulose for consolidation of painting canvases

Oleksandr Nechyporchuk, Krzysztof Kolman, Alexandra Bridarolli, Marianne Odlyha, Laurent Bozec, Marta Oriola, Gema Campo Francés, Michael Persson, Krister Holmberg, Romain Bordes

Index: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.04.020

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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 proper elongation regime. CCNF showed the best consolidation per added weight, however, it had to be handled at the lowest 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 Beva 371 and linen canvas.