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ART WITHIN SURFACES
New Graphene-Based Coating Protects Paintings Against Environmental Degradation A team of researchers developed a new coating able to create a graphene film that protects artworks against degradation.
A
team of researchers from the Institute of Chemical
by the exposure of colours to ultraviolet (UV) and visible light in the
Engineering Sciences of Foundation for Research and
presence of oxidizing agents, can lead to irreversible alteration of
Technology-Hellas (FORTH/ ICE-HT), the Department of
artworks.
Chemical Engineering of the University of Patras, and the Center
The newly developed graphene-based coating creates a flexible,
for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI) of the University of Florence,
transparent film, produced by chemical vapour deposition, which is
led by Professor Costas Galiotis, has developed a graphene-based
impermeable to moisture, oxygen and corrosive agents, and can also
coating for the protection of paintings against environmental
absorb a large amount of harmful ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, it
degradation.
has the potential to be used as a transparent layer for the protection
Degradation mechanisms (including fading and yellowing), triggered
of art objects in museums, during storage and transportation.
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N. 70 - JULY/AUGUST 2021 - international PAINT&COATING magazine
