Materials Conservation

Materials conservation encompasses the scientific study and practical interventions designed to prevent, slow or reverse the deterioration of cultural artefacts, architectural elements and industrial components. Drawing on disciplines such as materials science, chemistry, microbiology and engineering, it addresses inorganic substrates (metals, ceramics, stone, glass), organic supports (paper, textiles, wood, leather) and composites (carbon-fibre, polymers). Core objectives include characterising decay mechanisms (corrosion, hydrolysis, oxidation, biodeterioration), developing tailored stabilisation treatments (coatings, consolidants, inhibitors, biocides) and establishing non-destructive monitoring techniques (spectroscopy, electrochemical methods, imaging). A sustainable ethos underpins modern practice: interventions must be compatible with original materials, reversible where possible, and minimised to preserve heritage value. Advances in nanotechnology, molecular biology and hygrothermal modelling are driving more selective, environmentally benign solutions that extend the service life of invaluable works while informing preventive conservation and risk management strategies across diverse cultural contexts.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Studies have revealed that certain bacteria can both donate and accept electrons at metal surfaces in a switchable manner, mediated by secreted flavin molecules. This bidirectional extracellular electron transfer accelerates pitting corrosion of stainless steel under biofilms, pinpointing key pathways by which bio-anodic and bio-cathodic reactions breach protective oxide films. In parallel, investigations of a marine Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm on a hyper-duplex stainless steel alloy have shown that microbial attachment shifts corrosion potentials and enhances localised current densities, while depleting critical alloying elements beneath the coverage. These insights demonstrate that even highly corrosion-resistant alloys are vulnerable to microbiologically influenced processes in realistic environments and underscore the need for targeted inhibition and alloy design strategies.

Research from all publishers

A solvothermal synthesis of calcium hydroxide nanoparticles functionalised with silica-gel derivatives has yielded nanolime consolidants with enhanced reactivity and bonding to silicate substrates. When applied to historic sandstone, these hybrid nanolimes form in situ calcium silicate hydrate nanocements, delivering greater mechanical reinforcement than conventional formulations. Another work presents an eco-friendly aqueous nanolime dispersion tailored for hypogeal mural paintings: purely water-based and free of volatile organic solvents, it provides durable cohesion under high humidity while preserving original pigments. Long-term field trials of nanolime treatments on six UK limestones have further mapped performance variability: some stones retain surface strength over four years, whereas others exhibit diminished benefits, guiding optimal selection of substrates and formulations for built heritage.

Materials Conservation publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in materials conservation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Extracellular electron transfer (EET): Microbial process by which cells exchange electrons directly or via mediators with metal surfaces, influencing corrosion kinetics.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC): Accelerated metal degradation driven by microbial activity, including biofilm formation and metabolic by-products.

Nanolime: Dispersion of Ca(OH)₂ nanoparticles used to consolidate calcareous substrates by precipitating calcium carbonate or silicate phases.

Calcium silicate hydrate (CSH): Cementitious compound formed from reaction of Ca(OH)₂ and silicate sources, reinforcing and bonding treated stone matrices.

References

1. Adaptive bidirectional extracellular electron transfer during accelerated microbiologically influenced corrosion of stainless steel. Communications Materials (2021).
2. Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of 2707 Hyper-Duplex Stainless Steel by Marine Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm. Scientific Reports (2016).
3. Silica‐Functionalized Nanolimes for the Conservation of Stone Heritage. Small (2023).
4. New Perspectives for the Consolidation of Mural Paintings in Hypogea with an Innovative Aqueous Nanolime Dispersion, Characterized by Compatible, Sustainable, and Eco-Friendly Features. Nanomaterials (2023).
5. Effectiveness of Nanolime as a Stone Consolidant: A 4-Year Study of Six Common UK Limestones. Materials (2019).