Integrated Analytical Techniques for Assessment of TiO2 Nanoparticles in Consolidation Treatment of Green and Red Pigments Based on a Greco-Roman Polychrome Case Study

Abstract

Nanomaterials have approved over the last few decades a pallet of applications in the field of conservation of cultural heritage and monuments; among these applications was the consolidation of painted surfaces, which usually suffer from different degradation aspects, especially in museums. Considering the efficiency of nanostructured materials concerning the traditional one, the present study aims to evaluate titanium dioxide nanostructured materials, TiO₂, used as a consolidant for the green malachite and red cinnabar pigments, through a brushing technique on a mimic prepared experimental samples, based on a wooden polychrome statuette dated from the late period to the Greco-Roman period and stored at storage rooms of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, Egypt. Multi-analytical and investigation techniques such as digital microscope, SEM–EDX, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and LIBS have been used to evaluate the efficiency and performance of the selected materials. The results showed that using the hybrid form consisting of TiO₂ NPs with Klucel E gave good results with high penetration and least color change values, while using the inorganic form showed good results in consolidation but with higher color change value, especially in the red cinnabar pigment.