Nonlinear imaging and vibrational spectroscopic analysis of cellulosic fibres treated with COEX(R) flame-retardant for tapestry preservation

Year: 2022

Authors: Dal Fovo A., Striova J., Quintero Balbas D., Mattana S., Tacconi N., Cicchi R., Fontana R.

Autors Affiliation: Ist Nazl Ott CNR INO, Consiglio Nazl Ric, Largo Enrico Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Univ Firenze, Viale Idee 24, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: Cellulose-based fabrics are widely used in the preservation and storage of historic tapestries. Their ease of
flammability is a serious concern that greatly limits their applications and requires the development of
effective and safe flame-retardant treatments. In this work, we analysed linen and cotton textile samples
before and after COEX® treatment, a patented green technology imparting anti-flame properties by
functionalizing the cellulose molecules with phosphorus and sulphur groups. Some of the samples were
also exposed to photo-induced ageing after the treatment. The resulting structural and chemical
changes in both fibres were characterized by nonlinear optical imaging modalities, namely Second
Harmonic Generation (SHG) and Two-Photon Excited Fluorescence microscopies (TPEF), and Raman
and Attenuated Total Reflection – Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopies.
Complementary results evidenced a reduction in microfibril crystallinity, attributed mainly to the
reduction of hydrogen bonding among cellulose macromolecules, with a concomitant increase in
fluorescence possibly due to the introduction of ester groups into cellulose chains and to
decomposition of lignin into fluorescent by-products.

Journal/Review: RSC ADVANCES

Volume: 12 (41)      Pages from: 26744  to: 26752

More Information: This work was supported by Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) [intervention program CNR4C] and the Regione Toscana [POR FSE 2014-2020 -Axis A Employment, Giovanisi] as part of the projects SuperTec3D and RS4ART.
KeyWords: cellulose; textiles; preservation; flame-retardant; SHG; TPEF; Raman spectroscopy
DOI: 10.1039/d2ra02384a

Citations: 3
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