Study of low environmental impact products for the conservation of Cultural Heritage

In this thesis, innovative approaches for the preservation of Cultural Heritage were explored, addressing the challenges posed by environmental factors and material degradation. The study focused on developing advanced protective agents for hydrophilic materials such as wood and stone. Both fluorinated and fluorine-free formulations were studied for their ability to provide effective and sustainable protection against moisture, light, and other environmental stressors. Extensive testing was used to verify whether these solutions met the dual goals of durability and minimal impact on the original materials. In addition to protective coatings, the research examined advanced cleaning techniques, such as organogels, to safely and reversibly remove deteriorated layers. These methods have been designed to prioritize compatibility, reversibility, and minimal invasiveness. This thesis is part of the PON (Programma Operativo Nazionale) European project ‘Ricerca e Innovazione’ 2014-2020 (D.M. 1061/2021). The project operates under the principles of cohesion policy, channeling resources into education, training, and employment to strengthen human capital and competitiveness. With this vision, research work was carried out in collaboration with Maflon S.p.A., Italian company specialized in fluorinated polymers and surfactants used in paints, coatings, stone treatment, and detergents, and fluorinated and non-fluorinated emulsions for textiles. This partnership has enabled academic researchers to leverage Maflon expertise in materials science and industrial applications, with the aim of facilitating the translation of research findings into practical, commercially viable solutions for heritage conservation.