Graphiti: Cellulose/Graphene-based adsorbents for preventive conservation

Purpose and goal:

The hypothesis of the project was to implement graphene oxide to enhance adsorption efficiency of a material for removal of gaseous air pollutants (e.g VOCs, and in particular aromatic). The unique product composition cellulose fiber/silica/graphene/additives and the control over the flocculation/coagulation would tune the final material performances and the efficiency of the preparation process.

The adsorbents were tested against selected pollutants relevant for museums (toluene, acetaldehyde, isopropanol) and for RH regulation. Expected results and effects:

Implementing graphene in the production process resulted in improved dewatering performance by 5% as compared to standard production route. The performance towards gaseous pollutants such as toluene was improved by the introduction of graphene. The graphene-based adsorbents showed to be effective in capturing emitted pollutants from cardboard and inhibited corrosion of aluminum foil, which can be translated as being an attractive candidate for further development and evaluation in case study. Furthermore, GOx significantly improved the mechanical properties of material.

Approach and implementation:

Implementing graphene in the production process of cellulose-based adsorbents and bringing this new material to the market still requires more focus in terms of material developments, in order to take full advantage of graphene´s features. Graphene holds a good potential to be used as an additive in specialized cellulose-adsorbents composition, when aromatic volatile organic pollutants are targeted.

In the field of art conservation, developed graphene-cellulose based adsorbents offer some unique features that still require further investigation.