Potential Use of Micellar Colloids and Microemulsions in Restoration of Antiquities

Abstract

The present review summarizes the information on the structure and basic properties of aqueous micellar solutions and microemulsions of organic solvents. The effect of major components – surfactant and cosurfactant (linear alcohols) – on microemulsion behavior is described. Examples of application of these systems in removing organic coatings from materials of monuments (wall paintings, stone) are shown and requirement for good removability of microemulsion residues from the surface to be cleaned is emphasized. The unsatisfactory results obtained with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) for CaCO₃-containing materials are pointed out.