2025 Poster Session

Abstract:

Throughout the ages, Egypt has possessed a distinctive heritage of textile arts that reflects the characteristics of each historical period and highlights its culture. Therefore,textiles are considered one of the most important collections of museums and archaeological sites. Over time, these treasures have been exposed to many deterioration factors (e.g., biological factors, and improper handling and misuse) that have resulted in their staining. Rust stains can be problematic for historical textiles, weakening stained areas and eventually leading to losses as iron ions catalyze polymer chain scission. The main purpose of cleaning is to reduce potential damage to artefacts by removing foreign material which can be harmful over time. Conventional cleaning methods such as mechanical cleaning, aqueous cleaning, solvent cleaning, enzyme cleaning, and others involve several drawbacks. Accordingly, this study investigates the use of eco-friendly gel-based cleaning methods. The use of a proper gel-based cleaning system provides a simple, effective and non-invasive solution for many of the challenges faced by conservators, through a controlled release of liquid cleaning agents to the object. Agar-based gel systems were selected based on their efficiency in cleaning artistic and historical substrates. The cleaning system under investigation involves the use of agar gel and oxalic acid-based deep eutectic solvent (DES). A multi-analytical approach was conducted during this study using visual inspection, digital microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), colorimetric measurements, pH measurements and fungal testing.

Keywords: Cotton textile; rust stains, gel-based cleaning systems; deep eutectic solvent; SEM; AFM; ATR-FTIR; colorimetric measurements; pH value; fungal testing.