The ocean is a harsh environment for shipwrecks, especially for sunken wooden vessels that are vulnerable to saltwater corrosion and bacterial decay. Even after recovery, preservation methods like freeze- or replacement-drying can cause artifacts to become brittle, warp, and take a long time to complete. However, researchers in China have developed a new hydrogel that offers a safer way to eliminate harmful microbes and acids from waterlogged shipwreck wood.
Described in a study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, this innovative material is the result of collaboration between various Chinese institutions, including Sun-Yat Sen University and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. While hydrogels have been used in similar projects before, the new substance dissolves on its own after a few days, eliminating the need for potentially damaging removal processes.
The researchers combined acid-neutralizing potassium bicarbonate, antimicrobial silver nitrates, and sodium alginate to create the hydrogel. They tested its efficacy on wood from an 800-year-old shipwreck provided by the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong. The hydrogel was able to neutralize acids deep within the wood and maintain its structural integrity better than traditional methods.
According to a recent announcement, the hydrogel successfully preserved the wooden artifacts by neutralizing acids and maintaining flexibility without causing brittleness. The researchers hope that this new material can provide a versatile solution for preserving wooden cultural heritage.
[Related: A hunk of coal from the Titanic could fetch $780 at auction.]
In their study’s conclusion, the researchers noted that the hydrogel system showed significant preservation effects on wooden relics, offering solubility, stretchability, and antibacterial properties. This new material could be a game-changer in the field of artifact preservation.
