Please cite this article in press as: M. Afsharpour, S. Imani, Preventive protection of paper works by using nanocomposite coating of zinc oxide, Journal of Cultural Heritage (2016), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2016.12.007 ARTICLE IN PRESS G Model CULHER-3168; No. of Pages 7 Journal of Cultural Heritage xxx (2016) xxx–xxx Available online at ScienceDirect www.sciencedirect.com Original article Preventive protection of paper works by using nanocomposite coating of zinc oxide Maryam Afsharpour a,∗ , Saleh Imani b a Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, 14335-186 Tehran, Iran b Conservation Department, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 20 October 2013 Accepted 19 December 2016 Available online xxx Keywords: Preventive protection Paper work Zinc oxide Nanocomposite Coating a b s t r a c t In this work, we investigate the role of zinc oxide nanoparticles in the inherent protection of paper works against damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, pollutant gasses, mold, and bacteria. For this purpose, the cellulosic nanocomposite of ZnO was used as protective coating on the surface of the paper. This nanocomposite can act as a consolidant as well. To determine the protective potential of this coating, the chemical and physical properties of treated papers after light and heat accelerated aging were measured. Results showed good stability of papers with nanocomposite coating. Also, a good light stability was shown in the colored paper that was treated with this nanocomposite. Furthermore, to demonstrate the degree of antifungal and antibacterial properties of coated papers, sample papers were treated with two common fungi and bacteria, and the positive preventive effect of coated paper against fungi and bacteria was observed. © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved. Research aims Paper is subjected to numerous deterioration processes, which may cause irreversible degradation of important manuscripts and works of art. In this study, we investigate the role of ZnO in the inherent protection and preservation of paper works against damaging factors. A cellulosic nanocomposite of ZnO was used as protective coating on the surface of paper fibers. This nanocom- posite can protect paper from damaging effects of UV light, air pollutants, bacteria, and fungi. A degradation of mechanical prop- erties of paper during thermal aging has been detected with tensile strength of papers. Mechanical tests revealed that the ZnO nanocomposite coating had the best resistance to tensile strength compared with other papers. This is due to the fact that the layer structure of polymeric nanocomposites can improve ZnO fiber bonding. Also, the UV-blocking property of coated paper was inves- tigated by measuring the fading percent of colored paper under UV irradiation. The fading process in nanocomposite coated paper is also slowed down over time. This finding can be explained by the absorption of UV light through ZnO nanoparticles; hence, the color embedded under the layer of cellulosic polymer remains intact. Furthermore, to demonstrate the degree of antifungal and antibac- terial properties of coated papers, samples were treated with two ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +98 21 44787758; fax: +98 21 44787712. E-mail address: afsharpour@ccerci.ac.ir (M. Afsharpour). common fungi and bacteria, and the preventive effect of ZnO coatings against fungi and bacteria is described. 1. Introduction Cultural heritage such as old manuscripts are susceptible objects which are influenced by environmental conditions such as cli- mate, pollution, biological agents, and mechanical stresses [1–4]. In order to slow down these degradation processes, it is necessary to carry out preventive conservation that is an important element of museum policy in taking care of collections. So, conservation sci- ence focused on chemical compounds that are able to protect the artistic substrate. In the last few years, nanostructured materials have been frequently applied to solve the problems in restoration and con- servation of artworks such as paper, wood, textile, stone and wall paintings [5–19]. Due to their particular characteristics, nanoma- terials seem to be very suitable for new conservation treatments. The most common nanomaterials used in conservation science are inorganic nanomaterials such as calcium and magnesium hydrox- ide [5–10], metal oxides (such as SiO 2 , TiO 2 , ZnO, and Fe 2 O 3 ), and their nanocomposites [11–19]. Calcium and magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles are helping to de-acidify paper and wood artifacts and diminish acid formation. The smaller size of the particles improves the material spreading and penetration, and a very weak white glazing forms after appli- cation. Also, it reduces the rate of oxidative degradation of cellulose http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2016.12.007 1296-2074/© 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.