Technologies for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage

Recalls of the elements of general chemistry and organic chemistry: Chemical bonding, Coordinating compounds-Coordinating agents-Surfactants, Functional groups, Amino acids and proteins, Natural and synthetic polymers, Nanoparticles. Degradation phenomena in relation to the nature of the constituent materials of Cultural Heritage Cultural heritage materials: mechanisms of degradation (Role of weather, humidity, microclimate and pollution). Stone materials Metals and alloys-chemical and physical characteristics, corrosion phenomena. Patinas Pigments and dyes, inorganic and organic binders Resins, waxes, oils Plant, animal and wood fibers Sampling and sample preparation Spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. Applications: - Examples of chemical characterization for historical and/or restoration and conservation purposes - Omics Science in Cultural Heritage Laboratory Exercises. - lake pigment and inorganic pigment preparation. - Spectroscopic techniques and database consultation for preliminary identification of an unknown pigment or lake-pigment. - extraction, TLC thin layer chromatography. - Clean-up and preparation for analysis by LC-MS

The knowledge fundamental to face this course is composed of: 1- basic concepts of general and inorganic chemistry from previous first-year courses and in particular chemical language, nomenclature, oxidation number and redox reactions, chemical equilibria and acid-base reactions, pH and buffer solutions. 2- basic concepts of organic chemistry from previous first-year courses and in particular carbon chemistry, functional groups and their characteristics, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of a molecule.

Course handouts will be available on the Moodle platform https://elearning2.uniroma1.it/ at the end of the course. In addition, a selection of scientific papers for the topics or techniques covered will be provided. In addition, the following books will be suggested: - Fassina, Vasco. Chimica applicata alla conservazione e al restauro del patrimonio culturale. Materiali costitutivi (Vol. 1). Nardini Editore, Firenze - Fassina, Vasco. Chimica applicata alla conservazione e al restauro del patrimonio culturale. Degrado dei materiali (Vol. 2). Nardini Editore, Firenze

Attendance at lessons or laboratory experiences is not mandatory to access the exam but is strongly recommended.

A grade of at least 18/30 must be achieved to pass the exam. The student will first prepare a short paper on a topic covered during the laboratory experiences with which them will present at the exam. During the oral examination, the student must demonstrate that they understand and comprehend the main topics of the course and can apply them to the assessment of the conservation status, restoration and long-term preservation of cultural heritage. The student must demonstrate the ability to use appropriate terminology. Questions will cover the chemistry of various materials in cultural heritage, what are the possible mechanisms of degradation from chemical, physical and biological perspectives, and how to operate for the conservation of cultural heritage. The ability to draw up a diagnostic plan, hypothesizing which analytical techniques are most suitable, will also be required. Further essential for a positive evaluation is the ability to link together the various topics covered. In order to achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate excellent knowledge of all the topics covered in the course, but above all must be able to link them together in a logical, coherent and comprehensive manner.

The course consists of classroom lectures for a total of 5 CFU and is completed by some practical laboratory experiences for a total of 1 CFU. The exercises will focus on the use of a spectroscopic technique and the extraction of a dye or lake pigment and its clean-up for subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography.