Chemistry of Materials for Cultural Heritage
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
provide the student with an adequate knowledge of the fundamental concepts of the chemistry of polymeric materials used in the artistic field both as a constituent material of an artefact and as an adhesive, consolidant and protective agent, illustrate the basic concepts of degradation phenomena involving polymeric materials in the artistic field in different scenarios (light, humidity, T, air pollution, smog, microorganisms), and explain their influence on the resulting properties of the work of art. introduce the concept of cleaning from a chemical point of view for the conservation of artistic artefacts, and provide adequate knowledge of the problems connected to the use of solvents in a sustainability perspective and on the different approaches proposed more recently such as micellar systems, emulsions and microemulsions, and polymeric gels, define the problems connected to the consolidation and surface protection of a work of art and explain the strategies through which it is possible to prevent its degradation
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the Student will be able to: describe the chemical-physical characteristics of both natural and synthetic polymers
used both as a constituent material of an artistic artefact and as a consolidant, adhesive and protective, recognize and illustrate the degradation phenomena that influence the conservation of an artistic artefact made of polymers, such as cellulose, wood and plastic, recognize and illustrate the degradation phenomena that influence the performance of polymers used as consolidants, adhesives and protective, identify and select the most suitable conservation strategy for the case, thanks to the scientific and methodological skills acquired, propose the most suitable conservation strategy, based on a careful critical analysis of the state of degradation of an artistic artefact, or dialogue with other professional figures in the field of Cultural Heritage, becoming the ideal interface between those who synthesize and produce polymers and those who restore artistic artefacts.
used both as a constituent material of an artistic artefact and as a consolidant, adhesive and protective, recognize and illustrate the degradation phenomena that influence the conservation of an artistic artefact made of polymers, such as cellulose, wood and plastic, recognize and illustrate the degradation phenomena that influence the performance of polymers used as consolidants, adhesives and protective, identify and select the most suitable conservation strategy for the case, thanks to the scientific and methodological skills acquired, propose the most suitable conservation strategy, based on a careful critical analysis of the state of degradation of an artistic artefact, or dialogue with other professional figures in the field of Cultural Heritage, becoming the ideal interface between those who synthesize and produce polymers and those who restore artistic artefacts.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The program of course focuses on five macro-topics:
· Macro-topic 1: Artefact degradation and conservation.
Contents: The degradation of works of art: The role of surface and interface. The case study of paintings. The weathering.
· Macro-topic 2: An introduction to polymers.
Contents: Polymers in Cultural Heritage. Introduction on polymers, copolymers and polymer blends. Molecular weight of polymers. Synthesis of polymers. Thermal and mechanical properties of polymers. Polymer gels. Polymer coatings. Degradation of polymers.
· Macro-topic 3: Artefact cleaning.
Contents: Conservation treatments: cleaning, consolidation and protection. Cleaning of artefacts using: micellar solutions; emulsions and microemulsions; gels and polymeric dispersion.
· Macro-topic 4: Artefact consolidation & protection.
Contents: Consolidation and protection. Polymers for Cultural Heritage conservation. The case study of stone Artworks. Adhesives. The case study of metal artworks.
· Macro-topic 5: Polymers as bulk materials for artefacts.
Contents: Artefact conservation of: i) books, manuscripts, canvas and textiles; ii) furniture, musical instruments, frames, and altarpieces; and iii) plastics in art and for art.
· Macro-topic 1: Artefact degradation and conservation.
Contents: The degradation of works of art: The role of surface and interface. The case study of paintings. The weathering.
· Macro-topic 2: An introduction to polymers.
Contents: Polymers in Cultural Heritage. Introduction on polymers, copolymers and polymer blends. Molecular weight of polymers. Synthesis of polymers. Thermal and mechanical properties of polymers. Polymer gels. Polymer coatings. Degradation of polymers.
· Macro-topic 3: Artefact cleaning.
Contents: Conservation treatments: cleaning, consolidation and protection. Cleaning of artefacts using: micellar solutions; emulsions and microemulsions; gels and polymeric dispersion.
· Macro-topic 4: Artefact consolidation & protection.
Contents: Consolidation and protection. Polymers for Cultural Heritage conservation. The case study of stone Artworks. Adhesives. The case study of metal artworks.
· Macro-topic 5: Polymers as bulk materials for artefacts.
Contents: Artefact conservation of: i) books, manuscripts, canvas and textiles; ii) furniture, musical instruments, frames, and altarpieces; and iii) plastics in art and for art.
Prerequisites for admission
A prerequisite to follow the Chemistry of Materials for Cultural Heritage course is to have knowledge of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. It is therefore advisable to attend the course in the third year, after having followed the "Organic Chemistry" course.
Teaching methods
· Frontal lessons with the aid of slides (power point presentations).
· Two exam simulations to prepare students for the final exam using the DRAB system in a collegial discussion.
· Two exam simulations to prepare students for the final exam using the DRAB system in a collegial discussion.
Teaching Resources
· Course slides accompanied by videos dedicated to the course topics.
· Scientific articles and reviews relevant to the individual topics covered during the course.
· "Polymer Coatings. A Guide to Chemistry, Characterization, and Selected Applications", by Gijsbertus deWith, Wiley-VCH, 2018.
· "Nanotechnologies in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, A compendium of materials and techniques", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, Rodorigo Giorgi, Springer, 2015.
· "Handbook of Polymers in Stone Conservation", by Elisabetta Princi, Smithers Rapra, 2014.
· "Nanoscience for the Conservation of Works of Art", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, RSC Publishing, 2013.
· "Corrosion and conservation of cultural heritage metallic artefacts" by Philippe Dillmann, David Watkinson, Emma Angelini and Annemie Adriaens, Woodhead Publishing, 2013.
· "Materials for Conservation. Organic consolidants, adhesives and coatings", 2nd Edition, by Velson Horie, Elsevier, 2010.
· "Conservation of Plastics: Materials Science, Degradation and Preservation", 1st Edition, by Yvonne Shashoua, Elsevier, 2008.
· "Principles of Polymerization", 4th Edition, by George Odian, Wiley & Interscience, 2004.
· Scientific articles and reviews relevant to the individual topics covered during the course.
· "Polymer Coatings. A Guide to Chemistry, Characterization, and Selected Applications", by Gijsbertus deWith, Wiley-VCH, 2018.
· "Nanotechnologies in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, A compendium of materials and techniques", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, Rodorigo Giorgi, Springer, 2015.
· "Handbook of Polymers in Stone Conservation", by Elisabetta Princi, Smithers Rapra, 2014.
· "Nanoscience for the Conservation of Works of Art", by Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, RSC Publishing, 2013.
· "Corrosion and conservation of cultural heritage metallic artefacts" by Philippe Dillmann, David Watkinson, Emma Angelini and Annemie Adriaens, Woodhead Publishing, 2013.
· "Materials for Conservation. Organic consolidants, adhesives and coatings", 2nd Edition, by Velson Horie, Elsevier, 2010.
· "Conservation of Plastics: Materials Science, Degradation and Preservation", 1st Edition, by Yvonne Shashoua, Elsevier, 2008.
· "Principles of Polymerization", 4th Edition, by George Odian, Wiley & Interscience, 2004.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist of an oral interview lasting 30-35 minutes. The calendar with the dates of the various sessions will be published on the University system.
The score will vary between 18 and 30 out of 30 and will be proportional to the number of correct answers.
The oral interview will aim to ascertain the achievement of the expected learning outcomes in terms of knowledge and understanding. The evaluation criteria will focus on the student's ability to answer open short answer questions (DRAB) on all the topics covered in the course. In particular, the student must be able to describe the chemical-physical characteristics of both natural and synthetic polymers used both as a material constituting an artistic artefact and as a consolidating, adhesive and protective material; recognize and illustrate the degradation phenomena that influence the conservation of an artistic artefact or of consolidating, adhesive and protective agents; identify and select the most suitable conservation strategy for the case in question.
The score will vary between 18 and 30 out of 30 and will be proportional to the number of correct answers.
The oral interview will aim to ascertain the achievement of the expected learning outcomes in terms of knowledge and understanding. The evaluation criteria will focus on the student's ability to answer open short answer questions (DRAB) on all the topics covered in the course. In particular, the student must be able to describe the chemical-physical characteristics of both natural and synthetic polymers used both as a material constituting an artistic artefact and as a consolidating, adhesive and protective material; recognize and illustrate the degradation phenomena that influence the conservation of an artistic artefact or of consolidating, adhesive and protective agents; identify and select the most suitable conservation strategy for the case in question.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours by appointment
Building 5, Body B, 3rd floor, room 3051