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Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage...
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Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation

A special issue of Gels (ISSN 2310-2861). This special issue belongs to the section "Gel Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 4167

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Chiara Biribicchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Conservation Center, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
Interests: green chemistry; nanomaterials; conservation; sustainability; soft matters; heritage science; material analysis; hydrogels; organogels; greener solvents
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Favero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: chemistry of cultural heritage and the environment; soft matters for the cleaning of artistic surfaces and the monitoring of organic polluting species; gels
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alessandro Ciccola

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: dyes and pigments; organic binders; spectroscopic techniques; cultural heritage materials; gels
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is now well recognized that the use of gels and other advanced functional materials has marked a turning point and a significant advancement in the field of cultural heritage conservation over the past few decades, offering previously unexplored possibilities. Gels are versatile materials with critical applications across numerous scientific and technological sectors, including, but not limited to, cosmetics, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.

Their unique properties—such as fluid retention, controlled release, adaptability to complex surfaces, and the virtually limitless potential to design gels with tailored characteristics based on the specific needs of an artwork—make them ideal alternatives to conventional solutions. Gels are particularly effective for cleaning solvent- or water-sensitive and complex surfaces, as well as for consolidation and protection treatments in conservation practices, and have already demonstrated great potential and unprecedented performance, especially as cleaning systems. More recently, research has increasingly focused on the development of greener materials, incorporating bio-derived components or renewable feedstocks into gel formulations. This shift aims to provide sustainable alternatives to traditional methods, which often rely on petroleum-based substances and inefficient procedures, and to further promote sustainable development within the cultural heritage sector.

Although significant progress has been made through the integration of soft matter and colloid science in cultural heritage conservation, many opportunities and applications remain to be explored. We welcome the submission of new results on the development and application of gels in cultural heritage, with particular interest in greener materials, sustainable conservation practices involving gel applications, and theoretical insights into gel–substrate interactions.

Dr. Chiara Biribicchi
Prof. Dr. Gabriele Favero
Dr. Alessandro Ciccola
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Gels is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cultural heritage conservation
  • nanomaterials
  • advanced materials
  • green chemistry
  • hydrogels
  • organogels
  • soft matter
  • cleaning
  • physical gels
  • chemical gels
  • gel characterization

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 7417 KB  
Article
Exploring the Potential of Polyvinyl Alcohol–Borax-Based Gels for the Conservation of Historical Silk Fabrics by Comparative Cleaning Tests on Simplified Model Systems
by Ehab Al-Emam, Marta Cremonesi, Natalia Ortega Saez, Hilde Soenen, Koen Janssens and Geert Van der Snickt
Gels 2026, 12(1), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12010097 - 22 Jan 2026
Viewed by 144
Abstract
Cleaning historical silk textiles is a particularly sensitive operation that requires precise control to prevent mechanical or chemical damage. In this study, we investigate using flexible PVA–borax-based gels to remove soot from silk, i.e., polyvinyl alcohol–borax (PVA-B) gels and polyvinyl alcohol–borax–agarose double network [...] Read more.
Cleaning historical silk textiles is a particularly sensitive operation that requires precise control to prevent mechanical or chemical damage. In this study, we investigate using flexible PVA–borax-based gels to remove soot from silk, i.e., polyvinyl alcohol–borax (PVA-B) gels and polyvinyl alcohol–borax–agarose double network gels (PVA-B/AG DN) loaded with different cleaning agents—namely, 30% ethanol and 1% Ecosurf EH-6—in addition to plain gels loaded with water. These gel formulations were tested on simplified model systems (SMS) and were applied using two methods: placing and tamping. The cleaning results were compared with a traditional contact-cleaning approach; micro-vacuuming followed by sponging. Visual inspection, 3D opto-digital microscopy, colorimetry, and machine-learning-assisted (ML) soot counting were exploited for the assessment of cleaning efficacy. Rheological characterization provided information about the flexibility and handling properties of the different gel formulations. Among the tested systems, the DN gel containing only water, applied by tamping, was easy to handle and demonstrated the highest soot-removal effectiveness without leaving residues, as confirmed by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (micro-FTIR) analysis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs proved the structural integrity of the treated silk fibers. Overall, this work allows us to conclude that PVA–borax-based gels offer an effective, adaptable, and low-risk cleaning strategy for historical silk fabrics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation)
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33 pages, 31820 KB  
Article
Confined Fluids in Gel Matrices for the Selective Cleaning of a Tibetan Altar Table
by Chiara Biribicchi, Jessica Chasen and Laura Maccarelli
Gels 2025, 11(12), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11121001 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 508
Abstract
LACMA’s 19th-century Tibetan Altar Table with Auspicious Symbols is characterized by a complex stratigraphy comprising animal glue-based ground and paint layers, a presumably original tung oil-based varnish, and a dark surface layer composed of a complex mixture of paraffinic wax, shellac, and rapeseed [...] Read more.
LACMA’s 19th-century Tibetan Altar Table with Auspicious Symbols is characterized by a complex stratigraphy comprising animal glue-based ground and paint layers, a presumably original tung oil-based varnish, and a dark surface layer composed of a complex mixture of paraffinic wax, shellac, and rapeseed oil, which obscures the object’s original decorative scheme. This study examines the use of nanostructured fluids and organic solvents confined within hydrogels and organogels for the selective removal of the dark surface layer while preserving the underlying paint and varnish. Following the analysis of the artwork’s constituent materials, cleaning tests were conducted and evaluated using visible and ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF) imaging, spectrophotometry, and digital microscopy. The homogeneous absorption of solvent mixtures by the organogels was assessed through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Results indicate that confining cleaning fluids within the gels’ porous networks significantly improved solvent retention and control of fluid release. While conventional cleaning methods proved insufficiently selective, the gradual release of a nanostructured fluid containing a small amount of benzyl alcohol, combined with the nanostructural properties of the poly(vinyl alcohol)–sebacic acid (PSA2) hydrogel, enabled targeted removal of the surface layer while preserving the integrity of the underlying layers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation)
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24 pages, 8369 KB  
Article
Development of Efficient In-Situ Cleaning Methods for Stained Textile Relics
by Yuhui Wei, Jinxia Guo, Zhaowei Su, Kui Yu, Xue Ling, Zhenlin Zhang, Kaixuan Liu and Wei Pan
Gels 2025, 11(10), 830; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11100830 - 16 Oct 2025
Viewed by 956
Abstract
To address limitations such as cleaning difficulties or secondary contamination/damage of cultural relics caused by the uncontrollable diffusion of water/cleaning agent/dirty liquids during the cleaning process in traditional cleaning methods, this study, using cotton textiles as an example, systematically investigated the cleaning efficacy [...] Read more.
To address limitations such as cleaning difficulties or secondary contamination/damage of cultural relics caused by the uncontrollable diffusion of water/cleaning agent/dirty liquids during the cleaning process in traditional cleaning methods, this study, using cotton textiles as an example, systematically investigated the cleaning efficacy of four in situ methods (blank gel, cleaning gel, ultrasonic emulsification, and gel + ultrasonic emulsification synergistic cleaning) on eight types of stains, including sand, clay, rust, blood, ink, oil, and mixed solid/liquid stains. Building upon this, this study proposed an efficient, targeted, in situ, and controllable cleaning strategy tailored for fragile, stained textile relics. Results demonstrated that, regardless of the stain type, the synergistic cleaning method of G+U (gel poultice + ultrasonic emulsification) consistently outperformed the cleaning methods of blank gel poultice, cleaning gel poultice, and ultrasonic emulsification. Furthermore, the gel loaded with cleaning agents was always more effective than the blank gel (unloaded cleaning agents). The poultice methods of blank gel and cleaning gel were better suited for solid stains, while the ultrasonic emulsification cleaning method was more effective for liquid stains. Meanwhile, it was also found that the optimal cleaning method proposed in this study (the G+U synergistic cleaning method) was a cleaning method that restricted the cleaning agent within the gel network/emulsion system, and utilized the porous network physical structure of gel, the chemical action of emulsion’s wetting/dissolving dirt, and the cavitation synergistic effect of ultrasound to achieve the targeted removal of contaminants from relics’ surfaces. Crucially, the cleaning process of G+U also had the characteristics of controlling the cleaning area at the designated position and effectively regulating the diffusion rate of the cleaning solution within the treatment zone, as well as the reaction intensity. Therefore, the proposed optimal (the synergistic cleaning method of G+U) cleaning method conforms to the significant implementation of the “minimal intervention and maximal preservation” principle in modern cultural heritage conservation. Consequently, the synergistic cleaning method of G+U holds promise for practical application in artifact cleaning work. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation)
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Review

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25 pages, 4816 KB  
Review
Organogels for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage
by Damiano Bandelli, Céline Adamo, Giovanna Poggi, David Chelazzi and Piero Baglioni
Gels 2025, 11(9), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels11090715 - 5 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1192
Abstract
The degradation of works of art, enhanced by climate change, needs to be counteracted to have Cultural Heritage express its full socioeconomic potential. Cleaning artifacts requires the confinement of fluids in retentive gel matrices to achieve safe, time-effective removal of soil, aged coatings, [...] Read more.
The degradation of works of art, enhanced by climate change, needs to be counteracted to have Cultural Heritage express its full socioeconomic potential. Cleaning artifacts requires the confinement of fluids in retentive gel matrices to achieve safe, time-effective removal of soil, aged coatings, or vandalism from artistic/historical surfaces. This review discusses past and current research in organogels, which are largely unexplored systems to confine average or low polarity solvents. Particular focus is on bio-derived, “green”, and sustainable materials, polymers, and solvents. Perspectives in this field strongly link with current recommendations for sustainable design in materials science and multiple industrial sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Design and Application of Gels in Heritage Conservation)
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