Nanorestore Cleaning®

Overview

Nanorestore Cleaning® systems are particularly effective in the removal of oily soils and organic coatings without redeposition into the pores of the substrate. They offer performances not achievable with traditional solvent cleaning and represent a new platform for conservation of work of arts. Nanostructured cleaning fluids (water-in-oil microemulsions, micellar solutions) are substantially based on water, with a drastically reduced solvent content while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.

Technical Sheet

Safety Data Sheet

Available Formulations

Nanorestore Cleaning® Polar Coating S	Water-based nanostructured fluid containing an anionic surfactant and a mixture of 1-pentanol, ethyl acetate and propylene carbonate. This formulation is designed for the removal of polar coatings, such as acrylic and vinyl synthetic polymers and (aged) natural and synthetic varnishes.	60 €/L
Nanorestore Cleaning® Polar Coating B	Water-based nanostructured fluid containing an alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant and a mixture of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and 2-butanol. This formulation is designed for the removal of polar coatings, such as acrylic and vinyl synthetic polymers and (aged) natural and synthetic varnishes. This formulation can be safely used when the presence of salts is significant.	60 €/L
Nanorestore Cleaning® Polar Coating G	Water-based nanostructured fluid containing an alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant and a mixture of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 2-butanol, ethyl acetate, and propylene carbonate. This formulation is designed for the removal of a wide range of polymeric coatings and (aged) natural and synthetic varnishes. This formulation can be safely used when the presence of salts is significant.	75 €/L
Nanorestore Cleaning® Apolar Coating	Oil-in-water microemulsion containing an anionic surfactant and a mixture of 1-pentanol and xylene. This formulation is designed for the removal of mildly polar synthetic and natural polymeric coatings.	60 €/L
Nanorestore Cleaning® Test Kit	This kit includes 100 ml of each of the Nanorestore Cleaning® series formulations. It could be used for preliminary tests, in order to choose the best formulation for your specific need.	50 €

Please, note that all the prices on the website do not include VAT

Technical Information

When are they used?

The formulations of the Nanorestore Cleaning® series can be used for the removal of oily soils, grime or (aged) organic coatings from the surface of (porous) works of art, in order to overcome the drawbacks of traditional cleaning methods (i.e. limited control on the cleaning action of neat organic solvents, spreading of the dissolved material, toxicity issues), or when neat organic solvents do not provide satisfactory results.

How do they work?

Nanorestore Cleaning® formulations possess excellent detergency properties thanks to their huge interface and to the combined action of solvents and surfactants. Essentially, nanostructured fluids, such as micelles and microemulsions, promote the swelling and detachment of detrimental coatings from the surface of the works of art, through different mechanisms with respect to those involved in the use of neat solvents or solvents blends. Overall, the spreading of dissolved/detached matter through the pores of the work of art is limited as compared to the direct use of solvents. Moreover, the environmental impact is minimized, and the safety for the operator increased. Finally, all of the Nanorestore Cleaning® formulations can be confined in Nanorestore Gels® allowing for a better control of the cleaning action, and expanding their applicability to water-sensitive works of art.

How are they used?

Aqueous (oil-in-water) microemulsion can be loaded into a poultice (e.g. a cellulose pulp compress) and applied on the surface of works of art: the poultice absorbs the dissolved or detached layers of grime, detrimental coatings or aged varnishes, preventing their spreading in the pores of the artifact. Swollen (softened) residues of coatings can also be removed by a gentle mechanical action directly after the removal of poultice. Rinsing with water can be used in some cases to complete the cleaning intervention.

For further information, please refer to the technical sheet.

Reference textbooks

1. Piero Baglioni and David Chelazzi, Nanoscience for the Conservation of Works of Art, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013

2. Piero Baglioni, David Chelazzi and Rodorico Giorgi, Nanotechnologies in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage: A Compendium of Materials and Techniques, Springer, 2014