Synthesis, characterization and applicative study of innovative materials for the conservation of cellulosic artifacts with an artistic and architectural interest

Synthesis of new monomers from renewable resources (saccharides) and their use in the synthesis of copolymers with vinyl acetate. Hydrolysis of the vinyl acetate copolymers to vinyl alcohol copolymers. Preparation of nanocomposites between TiO2 nanoparticles and vinyl acetate copolymers. Characterization of all new products using different techniques (FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, SEM, SEC, DSC). Applicative studies to test the applicability of the new products to the conservation of cellulosic materials (wood, paper) in the field of cultural heritage: test on the consolidation of archaeological waterlogged wood using the vinyl alcohol copolymer; test on the antimicotic effect of the nanocomposite TiO2/vinyl acetate copolymer on recent wood; colorimetric test on paper treated with the vinyl alcohol copolymers.