Ionic nanoparticles in heritage conservation; treatments for the Mary Rose timbers

A potential method for the de-acidification of water-logged archaeological wood is through a treatment with alkaline nanoparticles. To provide information on the process we have measured the penetration of strontium carbonate nanoparticles in fresh oak blocks from dispersions of water and 2-propanol. The diffusion coefficient into the wood from aqueous dispersions is ~ 3 × 10− 12 m2 s− 1. The diffusion is slower from the alcohol dispersion. Diffusion is also slower for samples treated with PEG200. X-ray absorption studies show that iron sulfates in wood are converted to siderite and goethite, removing the potential for the formation of sulfuric acid.