In situ polymerisation of isoeugenol as a green consolidation method for waterlogged archaeological wood

McHale, Emily; Steindal, Calin C.; Kutzke, Hartmut; Benneche, Tore; Harding, Stephen E.

Abstract

Waterlogged archaeological wood is often in need of consolidation prior to drying to prevent shrinkage and cracking of the object. There is a need for new greener materials (than for example polyethylene glycol) and methods for consolidation to be developed. The use of wood-based components could provide good interaction between the consolidant and the remaining wood structure and would also support a shift away from fossil fuel-based materials to those with more sustainable sources. Based on this, lignin-like structures have been investigated for their ability to consolidate waterlogged archaeological wood. The in situ formation of a lignin-like material has been carried out using isoeugenol polymerised by horse radish peroxidase in aqueous solution. The formation of the oligomeric/polymeric materials within the wood following this reaction has been determined by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infra Red (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The oligomers remaining in solution have been characterised by ATR-FTIR and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as well as analytical ultracentrifugation, showing that they have a weight average Mw of 0.4–0.9 kDa and a lignin-like structure rich in the β-5′ moiety. Therefore, this approach is proposed as a basis to further develop a green consolidation method for waterlogged archaeological wood.

Citation

McHale, E., Steindal, C. C., Kutzke, H., Benneche, T., & Harding, S. E. (2017). In situ polymerisation of isoeugenol as a green consolidation method for waterlogged archaeological wood. Scientific Reports, 7, Article 46481. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46481

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 17, 2017
• Publication Date: Apr 27, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 20, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 20, 2017
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Electronic ISSN: 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Article Number: 46481
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46481
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/857889
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep46481
• Contract Date: Jun 20, 2017