Lanthanum-Silica Sol-Gel Coatings for Protecting Metallic Materials in Museums: Approaches to Copper, Bronze, Lead and Steel

Museum objects made from metals face the challenge of delaying corrosion in exhibition rooms, showcases and holdings. This study examined some innovative solutions used to protect such items based on sol-gel coatings doped with lanthanum. These coatings were prepared from sols based on TEOS as a precursor. Lanthanum acetate/nitrate was added as a doping agent and corrosion inhibitor. The coatings were deposited upon slabs of copper, bronze, lead and steel, since they are among the most common metals present in museums items. The coatings application was accomplished by immersion-extraction, and the remaining sols were gelled and characterized by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry. To evaluate the behaviour and resistance of the coatings, tests of accelerated aging were carried out in climatic and Kesternich chambers, as well as under an atmosphere saturated with organic acids and under UV irradiation. The simulated conditions tested were undertaken to approach real conditions inside a conventional museum showcase. The microstructure of the coatings before and after accelerated aging tests was observed through optical and field emission scanning electron microscopies. The results indicated that these coatings can be a useful preventive, conservation avenue to protect copper, bronze and lead items exhibited in museums.