Various destruction factors, such as vandalism and weathering, e.g.,
humidity and light (UV), threaten historical monuments and artworks. It is possible to
produce organic and inorganic materials in nanometer dimensions and compose them
to produce wide varieties of organic-inorganic nanocomposites with various properties
and functionalities such as self-cleaning and anti-bacterial. Besides, the technology of
using these materials has also undergone a fundamental change that has created
nanotechnologies in the preservation, conservation, and consolidation of historical and
cultural monuments. Nanocomposite hybrid coatings can be applied to various
substrates of historical and artistic objects such as glass, paper, and stone to improve
their performance, such as corrosion resistance or paper deacidification and improving
hydrophobicity. The sol-gel method is one of the promising approach to prepare
nanocomposite coatings with a variety of functionalities. In addition, sol-gel methods
allow preparing nanoparticles with more efficiency. Furthermore, nanotechnology
provides the opportunity to conserve and restore artworks like the consolidation of wall
paintings and cleaning surfaces from aged polymers and the consolidation of cellulosic
papers against fungal growth by monitoring degradation processes such as water
destruction and salt contamination.
Keywords: Coating, Hydrophobic, Inorganic nanoparticles, Protection, Sol-gel.