Influence of graphene quantum dots on the aging properties of polyvinyl butyral as a relics adhesive

Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is commonly used as an adhesive for cultural relics. However, PVB suffers from poor stability, yellowing, and decreased adhesion performance after aging. Here, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) were used as stabiliser materials to modify PVB and obtain GQDs@PVB that was improved in anti-UV/thermal aging. The yellowness index, adhesive strength, chemical structure, and thermal properties of PVB and GQDs@PVB, before and after aging, are characterized using a benchtop spectrophotometer, universal testing machine, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, and simultaneous thermal analyzer. The results indicate that during the aging process, GQDs@PVB shows a lower yellowness index and higher adhesive strength than that of PVB consistently. Meanwhile, it exhibits a lower intensity of carbonyl peaks generated by thermal aging with a thermal decomposition temperature increased by 19 °C. The addition of GQDs improves the photothermal stability of PVB and holds promise for the stability research of materials in relics conservation.