The effect of three luminescent ionic liquids on corroded glass surfaces – A first step into stained-glass cleaning

Abstract Corrosion in medieval stained-glass represents a challenging issue in Conservation Science, being mainly composed by calcium salts. Model glass materials were produced and then subjected to an accelerated corrosion environment. Early stage glass corrosion layers observed were afterwards cleaned with luminescent ionic liquids (ILs). The effectiveness of the treatment was compared with Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid solution and high levels of humidity, both of which have caused alterations on the glass surface. With the ILs, detectable morphological or chemical alterations were avoided and the gel-layer remains on the glass surface, indicating that these are a viable alternative to conventional cleaning methods.