Natural Polymers in Heritage

Dear Colleagues,

There is a large group of natural polymers that are of great importance for heritage science: cellulosic materials such as paper, cotton, and wood; proteinaceous materials such as silk, wool, and parchment; as well as modified natural polymers such as cellulose acetate and nitrocellulose. There are large collections of these materials in archives, libraries, museums, and galleries, so the study of their stability is a significant topic. In addition, several specific degradation products are relevant for these materials, therefore monitoring these compounds and studying their influence on the objects is an important issue. Consequently, preventive conservation is a relevant domain, and based on the scientific research of the polymer materials described above, guidelines for different collections can be established which also consider the indoor environment.

The aim of this Special Issue is to update the studies on natural polymers that are involved in heritage science research. Various aspects can be discussed, from material stability (including investigations of real and model samples, studies based on natural and accelerated degradation) to the influence of degradation products on objects in cultural heritage collections, the monitoring of these products, and the preventive conservation of collections.

Prof. Dr. Irena Kralj Cigić
Guest Editor

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