Comparison of TiO sub(2) and ZnO nanoparticles for the improvement of consolidated wood with polyvinyl butyral against white rot

Synthetic polymers are widely used in the conservation of historical relics. These materials are attacked and deteriorated by microorganisms. The environmental factors also accelerate their deterioration. In this study, the antifungal properties of TiO sub(2) and ZnO nanoparticles in Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) were assessed. In three groups, samples were prepared from Poplar wood and they were treated with the nanocomposites under vacuum condition. Two groups were incubated separately in darkness and light conditions with rainbow fungus (Trametes versicolor) for 7 weeks according to the Bravery method. The third group was studied after the accelerated aging due to temperature, humidity and UV light irradiation. Treated samples with 1% of nano-TiO sub(2) and nano-ZnO in 5% of PVB in darkness conditions, did not show antifungal properties. But 2% of these nanoparticles protected the wood against fungal in darkness conditions. There was an appropriate antifungal properties all treatments in light condition. The accelerated aging of the treated samples with the nanocomposite indicated the protective effect of this latter treatment against aging factors compared to the treated samples with the consolidant lacking nanoparticles.