Influence Analysis of Polyvinyl Alcohol on the Degradation of Artificial Leather with Cellulose Nitrate Coating Originating from a Suitcase Stored in the Collection of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim, Poland

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a protective layer of polyvinyl alcohol on the degradation process of artificial leather based on cellulose nitrate. Samples of the artificial leather were obtained from a suitcase dating back to the first half of the 20th century, not considered...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials 2023-11, Vol.16 (21), p.7033
Main Authors: Jastrzębiowska, Nel, Wawrzyk, Anna, Uroda, Natalia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging (artificial)
Analysis
Artificial leather
Baggage
Cellulose
Cellulose esters
Cellulose nitrate
Chemical bonds
Coatings
Concentration camps
Cultural heritage
Degradation
Fourier transforms
Historic artifacts
Infrared analysis
Infrared spectroscopy
Luggage industry
Museums
Nitrates
Nitration
Nitrogen
Photoelectrons
Polyvinyl alcohol
Protective coatings
Radiation
Research methodology
Spectrum analysis
Textiles
X ray photoelectron spectroscopy
X ray reflection
X-ray spectroscopy
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a protective layer of polyvinyl alcohol on the degradation process of artificial leather based on cellulose nitrate. Samples of the artificial leather were obtained from a suitcase dating back to the first half of the 20th century, not considered a historical artifact. The analysis involved Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Artificial aging was employed for the study. The artificial leather sample with a protective coating of polyvinyl alcohol on a cellulose nitrate base exhibited the lowest degree of degradation due to minimal chemical changes in cellulose esters. The obtained FTIR-ATR spectrum indicated significantly higher nitration of cellulose and, consequently, a lower degree of polymer degradation. The sample without the protective polyvinyl alcohol coating and the sample with the coating removed before artificial aging showed similar reactions.
ISSN:1996-1944
1996-1944
DOI:10.3390/ma16217033