Chula's Innovation: The Nano Coating Paper Archival Varnish to Preserve Old Documents and Art Pieces for Decades to Come

In addition to time, heat, humidity, and mold are major catalysts in destroying historical traces, documents, drawings, photographs, and ancient maps comprising several centuries of cultural heritage. Alteration, decay, fading, mold, moisture damage, and dust are issues that preservationists and bookworms worldwide seek to address to prolong the history and memory inscribed on the paper.

In foreign countries, conservators of books, works of art, and documents in various libraries are conservation experts. They have the knowledge to preserve books or valuable objects by using a coating substance close to the textures of the objects and will not alter it. However, in Thailand, there are no experts in this field. Preservation of books and ancient documents is usually done by placing them in ziplock bags and stored in a dry and cool place. This can slow down the deterioration of the books for a while, but not for long.

The problem has sparked the interest of a Chula research team to invent an innovative "paper preservation coating solution" suitable for hot and humid weather like Thailand. The research team consists of Dr. Lunjakorn Amornkitbamrung, a C2F (Second Century Fund) postdoctoral researcher, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Associate Professor Dr. Kanet Wongravee, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, and Lecturer Dr. Panita Silapavithayadilok, Department of Western Languages, Faculty of Arts.

The "Nano Coating Paper archival varnish" was awarded Good Invention Award for the year 2023 from the National Research Council (NRC), and many leading libraries in the country have already put the nano-coating paper archival varnish to real use with old books and documents.

"Nano Coating Paper Archival Varnish is not only suitable for preserving books, historical documents, old paintings, and photographs, but it's for individuals who want to preserve important documents, favorite books, paintings, and photographs to maintain their original colors for a longer time," said Dr. Lunjakorn, one of the research team members and founder of Re-Bonding Co., Ltd.

The beginning of the Nano Coating Paper Archival Varnish

"The Nano Coating Paper Archival Varnish" is an innovation that's built on my doctoral research at the University of Graz, Austria," says Dr. Lunjakorn.

"The research question at the time was to find a way to keep many of the valuable historical documents in the library intact over time using natural extracts that won't change the natural state of the paper and slow down the paper's decay for 10 years or more."

The research was very successful, so Dr. Lunjakorn thought of continuing to further develop the project when he returned to Thailand.

"With Thailand's climate, paper runs the risk of deteriorating faster than in countries with dry and cold climates, so we need to use this research to develop formulas to suit our country's climate."

The Nano Coating Paper Archival Varnish formula, suitable for hot and humid climates like Thailand, has been scientifically proven by Aging Test, confirmed Dr. Lunjakorn.

We simulated a laboratory environment at temperatures up to 80 degrees Celsius and with 75% high humidity for seven consecutive days, equivalent to 20 years in the outside air, and then examined the changes in the coated paper and found that the coated paper was less yellow, without fungi, and stronger than the uncoated paper. "

"The Nano Coating Paper Archival Varnish is a 100% organic product made with cellulose extract from plants using nanocomposite technology, making them safe for both paper materials and users," explains Dr. Lunjakorn.

"The innovative nano-coating paper archival varnish can be used for all types of cellulose-based materials such as paper, books, antique documents, artwork, textiles, woodworking, etc. The varnish will help protect and slow down the deterioration of paper, paint, ink, and other components of books for up to 15 - 20 years without changing the condition of the paper. It is waterproof, moisture-proof, UV-proof, mold-proof, dustproof, stain-resistant, and non-yellowing, as well as increasing the strength of the paper by up to 65%"

Two varnish formulas for extending the life of books and artworks

The innovative Nano Coating Paper Archival Varnish has been patented and is manufactured under the trademark SalvaStory. According to Dr. Lunjakorn, the research team has developed two formulas:

Book Preservation Formula

This book preservation formula is highly concentrated to help protect against water while reinforcing the elasticity and extending the life of the paper. It does not cause cockling, or leaving stains on the paper. The formula comes in two types of packaging:

1. A Gallon bottle - the varnish can be poured into a container and books and be submerged in the solution right away. It's suitable for librarians and individuals who have many old and valuable books.
2. Spray is suitable for those who want to spray large sheets of documents such as land titles large maps, or those who want to extend the life of thin books.

Art preservation formulas

The art conservation formula is a colorless, odorless, non-gloss coating paste. Water-resistant paper works with wood color, watercolor, charcoal, chalk, acrylic, and graphite pencil. Suitable for those who want to add water-resistant properties to the paper. Reduces the risk of yellowing stains. Does not change the paper and color of the art, but this formula is less concentrated than the book conservation formula.

"This art preservation formula will extend the life and maintain the original beauty and condition of the art material for an additional 10-15 years. The solution is a natural extract, so it is safe for users and does not change the original texture of the art materials. The only limitation now is that the price is still a little high because some substances are still rare and expensive," Dr. Lunjakorn summarizes the highlights of the paper archival varnish.

Revive old documents in 4 easy steps

The paper archival varnish is easy to use. "The general public can use the product on their own," Dr. Lunjakorn said while recommending how to use the product, including the book preservation varnish and artwork varnishing spray, as follows:

For book varnish, there are four steps:

1. Pour the solution into a container.
2. Submerge the entire book in the solution until the whole book is covered. Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
3. Lift the book from the solution.
4. Let the book air-dry completely. You can either close the book or keep the pages open. The solution is quick-drying within 2-3 hours.

In the case of spray coatings, there are three steps:

1. Shake well before use.
2. Spray the varnish thoroughly on both sides of the artworks, photographs, books, or documents you want to preserve.
3. Air-dry. Wait for about 5 minutes to dry.

"That's all it takes to protect books and artwork from water, mold, dirt, heat, cracking, and peeling paint and ink for longer."

As for books or paper documents that are very crispy and dry, Dr. Lunjakorn further suggested that "they can be re-varnished or re-sprayed (several times) by waiting for the previous coating to dry completely and then repeating the process will increase the flexibility and strength of that paper document."

"This art preservation formula will extend the life and maintain the original beauty and condition of the art material for an additional 10-15 years. The solution is a natural extract, so it is safe for users and does not change the original texture of the art materials. The only limitation now is that the price is still a little high because some substances are still rare and expensive," Dr. Lunjakorn summarizes the highlights of the paper archival varnish.

Revive old documents in 4 easy steps

The paper archival varnish is easy to use. "The general public can use the product on their own," Dr. Lunjakorn said while recommending how to use the product, including the book preservation varnish and artwork varnishing spray, as follows:

For book varnish, there are four steps:

1. Pour the solution into a container.
2. Submerge the entire book in the solution until the whole book is covered. Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
3. Lift the book from the solution.
4. Let the book air-dry completely. You can either close the book or keep the pages open. The solution is quick-drying within 2-3 hours.

In the case of spray coatings, there are three steps:

1. Shake well before use.
2. Spray the varnish thoroughly on both sides of the artworks, photographs, books, or documents you want to preserve.
3. Air-dry. Wait for about 5 minutes to dry.

"That's all it takes to protect books and artwork from water, mold, dirt, heat, cracking, and peeling paint and ink for longer."

As for books or paper documents that are very crispy and dry, Dr. Lunjakorn further suggested that "they can be re-varnished or re-sprayed (several times) by waiting for the previous coating to dry completely and then repeating the process will increase the flexibility and strength of that paper document."

"This art preservation formula will extend the life and maintain the original beauty and condition of the art material for an additional 10-15 years. The solution is a natural extract, so it is safe for users and does not change the original texture of the art materials. The only limitation now is that the price is still a little high because some substances are still rare and expensive," Dr. Lunjakorn summarizes the highlights of the paper archival varnish.

Revive old documents in 4 easy steps

The paper archival varnish is easy to use. "The general public can use the product on their own," Dr. Lunjakorn said while recommending how to use the product, including the book preservation varnish and artwork varnishing spray, as follows:

For book varnish, there are four steps:

1. Pour the solution into a container.
2. Submerge the entire book in the solution until the whole book is covered. Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
3. Lift the book from the solution.
4. Let the book air-dry completely. You can either close the book or keep the pages open. The solution is quick-drying within 2-3 hours.

In the case of spray coatings, there are three steps:

1. Shake well before use.
2. Spray the varnish thoroughly on both sides of the artworks, photographs, books, or documents you want to preserve.
3. Air-dry. Wait for about 5 minutes to dry.

"That's all it takes to protect books and artwork from water, mold, dirt, heat, cracking, and peeling paint and ink for longer."

As for books or paper documents that are very crispy and dry, Dr. Lunjakorn further suggested that "they can be re-varnished or re-sprayed (several times) by waiting for the previous coating to dry completely and then repeating the process will increase the flexibility and strength of that paper document."

In the case of spray coatings, there are three steps:

1. Shake well before use.
2. Spray the varnish thoroughly on both sides of the artworks, photographs, books, or documents you want to preserve.
3. Air-dry. Wait for about 5 minutes to dry.

"That's all it takes to protect books and artwork from water, mold, dirt, heat, cracking, and peeling paint and ink for longer."

As for books or paper documents that are very crispy and dry, Dr. Lunjakorn further suggested that "they can be re-varnished or re-sprayed (several times) by waiting for the previous coating to dry completely and then repeating the process will increase the flexibility and strength of that paper document."

The next step of innovation in antiquities preservation

Many leading libraries in the country, such as the Central Library and the Memorial Hall of Chulalongkorn University, the Archive of Srinakharinwirot University, the Central Library of Chiang Mai University, etc., have applied paper archival varnish to preserve their ancient documents. The results are satisfactory. In the next phase, Dr. Lunjakorn and the research team plan to develop innovations to cover other aspects of preservation as well.

"Our research team considers two approaches to the development. The first approach is to develop a coating product that effectively protects objects and can kill the mold that has already occurred. For the second approach, we would like to expand this innovation to apply to other types of antiquities, such as woodworking and stucco work. The varnish must not contain foreign substances or cause changes in the antiquities according to the rules of preservation," Dr. Lunjakorn concluded.

For more information about the nano-coating paper archival varnish SalvaStory, please visit https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/204708/

"Chulalongkorn University sets the standard as a university of innovations for society and is listed in the World's Top 100 Universities for Academic Reputation, in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021-2022."