Synthesis of styrene–acrylate emulsion by glow discharge electrolysis plasma and its application for the conservation of simulated disrupting murals in Dunhuang Mogao grottoes

In this work, a styrene (ST)–acrylate emulsion was synthesized via glow discharge electrolysis (GDE) plasma technique. A possible forming mechanism was proposed. Moreover, the adhesion property of the emulsion was evaluated for the conservation of simulated disrupting murals. The results showed that under optimum conditions, the solid content, emulsion conversion, and gel rate are 29.0%, 85.6%, and 1.04%, respectively. The obtained ST–acrylate emulsion is spherical in shape, with a particle size of about 100 nm. The property of ST–acrylate emulsion prepared by GDE is superior to that of the commercial ST–acrylate emulsion for the conservation of simulated disrupting murals. Compared with other methods, GDE has the advantages of simple steps, controllable reaction, environmental friendliness, no chemical initiator, and no N2 atmosphere. The styrene–acrylate emulsion was successfully synthesized by using glow discharge electrolysis plasma technique and then employed for the restoration and conservation of simulated disrupting murals in Dunhuang Mogao grottoes.