ArticleGels (Basel, Switzerland)2026
Exploring the Potential of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Borax-Based Gels for the Conservation of Historical Silk Fabrics by Comparative Cleaning Tests on Simplified Model Systems.
Article in Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Redefining Stability in Cultural Heritage Through Polymer Design: From Conservation Strategies to Plastic Degradation.Polymers · 2026Review
- Adhesive Tape Strips and PVA-Borax Hydrogels as Alternative Cleaning Methods to Remove Fungal Proliferation on Canvas Support of Paintings.Gels (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Cleaning historical silk textiles is a particularly sensitive operation that requires precise control to prevent mechanical or chemical damage. In this study, we investigate using flexible PVA-borax-based gels to remove soot from silk, i.e., polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) gels and polyvinyl alcohol-borax-agarose double network gels (PVA-B/AG DN) loaded with different cleaning agents-namely, 30% ethanol and 1% Ecosurf EH-6-in addition to plain gels loaded with water. These gel formulations were tested on simplified model systems (SMS) and were applied using two methods: placing and tamping. The cleaning results were compared with a traditional contact-cleaning approach; micro-vacuuming followed by sponging. Visual inspection, 3D opto-digital microscopy, colorimetry, and machine-learning-assisted (ML) soot counting were exploited for the assessment of cleaning efficacy. Rheological characterization provided information about the flexibility and handling properties of the different gel formulations. Among the tested systems, the DN gel containing only water, applied by tamping, was easy to handle and demonstrated the highest soot-removal effectiveness without leaving residues, as confirmed by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (micro-FTIR) analysis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs proved the structural integrity of the treated silk fibers. Overall, this work allows us to conclude that PVA-borax-based gels offer an effective, adaptable, and low-risk cleaning strategy for historical silk fabrics.
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Registered trials
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