title: Application of microemulsions for the removal of synthetic resins from paintings on canvas.
abstract: Traditional cleaning methods with organic solvents often are not suitable for removal of aged resin so researchers have to find new formulations. In this work, a case study is reported in which new microemulsions were applied on the surface of a painting covered by some aged resin layers used during a previous restoration. Based on the quality of the intervention and the analysis of a sample of the varnish carried out with both MALDI-TOF and ATR-IR spectrometers, it was conjectured that this undesired material could be an acrylic polymer. So it was chosen to use xylene, ethyl acetate and propylene carbonate (XYL and EAPC) microemulsions (O/W oil in water). The first is able to solubilise only acrylic polymers, the second may solve both acrylic and vinyl resins. The first has had the greatest effect allowing complete varnish removal and original artwork restoration.
authors: a Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies , Sapienza University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Guizzo
authors: a Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies , Sapienza University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Tortolini
authors: a Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies , Sapienza University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors: Federico
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6617-8192
authors: F
authors: Pepi
authors: b Department of Environmental Biology , Sapienza University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Leonelli
authors: a Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies , Sapienza University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Mazzei
authors: c Department of Earth Sciences , Sapienza University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Di Turo
authors: a Department of Chemistry and Drug Technologies , Sapienza University of Rome , Roma , Italy.
authors: Gabriele
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6650-7216
authors: G
authors: Favero
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001154:Art; D004655:Emulsions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010150:Paint / Q000032:analysis; D010151:Paintings; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D012031:Refractometry; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D004655:Emulsions; D011108:Polymers; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012997:Solvents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents
keywords: ATR-IR; MALDI-TOF; Microemulsions; cleaning methods