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Author Ortega Saez, N.; Arno, R.; Marchetti, A.; Cauberghs, S.; Janssens, K.; Van der Snickt, G.; Al-Emam, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Towards a novel strategy for soot removal from water-soluble materials : the synergetic effect of hydrogels and cyclomethicone on gelatine emulsion-based photographs Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2023 Publication Heritage science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 11 Issue 1 Pages 78-17  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Art; Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)  
  Abstract Gels are a popular cleaning method for paper conservators and a lot of research has been done concerning gel cleaning of paper objects over the last 15 years. Despite the close interconnection between the conservation fields of paper and photographic material, research on using gels for cleaning photographs is very scarce. However, gels can provide an excellent cleaning method for photographic material. Cleaning silver gelatine prints with aqueous solvents is very complex due to the hydrophilic properties and fragility of the gelatine layer which makes mechanical cleaning difficult. The properties of gels ensure better control over the flow and evaporation of the solvent, facilitating the cleaning process. This study is the first insight into the viability of using gellan gum gel and polyvinyl acetate-borax (PVAc-borax) gel to clean contaminants from the surface of silver gelatine photographs. It is based on self-made samples that were artificially aged and contaminated with soot. Water, ethanol (EtOH), and Kodak Photo-flo were studied as solvents to remove the soot from the silver gelatine-based prints. These solvents were loaded into the aforementioned gels and applied to the samples in two different methods. These gel cleaning methods were subsequently compared with traditional cleaning methods. In addition, the usage of cyclomethicone D4 as a protective mask for the gelatine layer was studied. Measuring methods used to evaluate the cleaning were visual comparison, microscopic observation, and densitometry. ATR-FTIR measurements were also conducted to investigate potential side-effects of the cleaning methods on the prints, such as unwanted chemical transformations or the presence of gel residues after the treatments. Most of the gel cleaning methods within this study proved to be inadequate, with the exception of the gellan gum gel loaded with 30% EtOH. It was used as a granulated gel applied mechanically on a print saturated with cyclomethicone (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane D4). Cyclomethicone proved to be a very effective protective barrier for the water-sensitive gelatine layer with minimal reduction in cleaning effectiveness.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000970139500001 Publication Date 2023-04-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2050-7445 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.5 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.5; 2023 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196445 Serial 8945  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Al-Emam, E.; Beltran, V.; De Meyer, S.; Nuyts, G.; Wetemans, V.; De Wael, K.; Caen, J.; Janssens, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Removal of a past varnish treatment from a 19th-century Belgian wall painting by means of a solvent-loaded double network hydrogel Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2021 Publication Polymers Abbreviated Journal Polymers-Basel  
  Volume 13 Issue 16 Pages 2651-20  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)  
  Abstract Polymeric materials have been used by painting conservator-restorers as consolidants and/or varnishes for wall paintings. The application of these materials is carried out when confronting loose paint layers or as a protective coating. However, these materials deteriorate and cause physiochemical alterations to the treated surface. In the past, the monumental neo-gothic wall painting 'The Last Judgment' in the chapel of Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Antwerp, Belgium was treated with a synthetic polymeric material. This varnish deteriorated significantly and turned brown, obscuring the paint layers. Given also that the varnish was applied to some parts of the wall painting and did not cover the entire surface, it was necessary to remove it in order to restore the original appearance of the wall painting. Previous attempts carried out by conservator-restorers made use of traditional cleaning methods, which led to damage of the fragile paint layers. Therefore, gel cleaning was proposed as a less invasive and more controllable method for gently softening and removing the varnish. The work started by identifying the paint stratigraphy and the deteriorated varnish via optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) hydrogel loaded with a number of solvents/solvent mixtures was employed in a series of tests to select the most suitable hydrogel composite. By means of the hydrogel composite loaded with 10% propylene carbonate, it was possible to safely remove the brown varnish layer. The results were verified by visual examinations (under visible light 'VIS' and ultraviolet light 'UV') as well as OM and FTIR spectroscopy.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000690248000001 Publication Date 2021-08-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2073-4360 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.364 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.364  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181567 Serial 8470  
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Author Al-Emam, E.; Motawea, A.G.; Caen, J.; Janssens, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Soot removal from ancient Egyptian complex painted surfaces using a double network gel : empirical tests on the ceiling of the sanctuary of Osiris in the temple of Seti I-Abydos Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2021 Publication Heritage science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 1-10  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)  
  Abstract In this study, we evaluated the ease of removal of soot layers from ancient wall paintings by employing double network gels as a controllable and safe cleaning method. The ceiling of the temple of Seti I (Abydos, Egypt) is covered with thick layers of soot; this is especially the case in the sanctuary of Osiris. These layers may have been accumulated during the occupation of the temple by Christians, fleeing the Romans in the first centuries A.D. Soot particulates are one of the most common deposits to be removed during conservation-restoration activities of ancient Egyptian wall paintings. They usually mask the painted reliefs and reduce the permeability of the painted surface. A Polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network gel was selected for this task since its properties were expected to be compatible with the cleaning treatment requirements. The gel is characterized by its flexibility, permitting to take the shape of the reliefs, while also having self-healing properties, featuring shape stability and an appropriate capacity to retain liquid. The gel was loaded with several cleaning reagents that proved to be effective for soot removal. Soot removal tests were conducted with these gel composites. The cleaned surfaces were evaluated with the naked eye, a digital microscope, and color measurements in order to select the best gel composite. The gel composite, loaded with a solution of 5% ammonia, 0.3% ammonium carbonate, and 0.3% EDTA yielded the most satisfactory results and allowed to safely remove a crust of thick soot layers from the surface. Thus, during the final phase of the study, it was used successfully to clean a larger area of the ceiling.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000604977300001 Publication Date 2021-01-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2050-7445 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174948 Serial 8557  
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Author Al-Emam, E.; Soenen, H.; Caen, J.; Janssens, K. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Characterization of polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network hydrogel utilized for the cleaning of works of art Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2020 Publication Heritage science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 106  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)  
  Abstract Since cleaning of artworks may cause undesirable physicochemical alterations and is a nonreversible procedure, it is mandatory to adopt the proper cleaning procedure. Such a procedure should remove undesired materials whilst preserving the original surface. In this regard, numerous gels have been developed and exploited for the cleaning of various artwork surfaces. Lately, agarose (AG) and polyvinyl alcohol-borax (PVA-B) hydrogels have been widely employed as cleaning tools by conservators. Both hydrogels show some limitations in specific cleaning practices. In this work, we investigated the influence of including increased levels of agarose into PVA-B systems. For this reason, we performed a detailed characterization on the double network (DN) hydrogel including the chemical structure, the liquid phase retention, the rheological behavior, and the self-healing behavior of various PVA-B/AG double network hydrogels. These new hydrogels revealed better properties than PVA-B hydrogels and obviated their limitations. The inclusion of AG into PVA-B systems enhanced the liquid retention capacity, shape-stability, and mechanical strength of the blend. Furthermore, AG minimized the expelling/syneresis issue that occurs when loading PVA-B systems with low polarity solvents or chelating agents. The resultant double network hydrogel exhibits relevant self-healing properties. The PVA-B/AG double network is a new and useful cleaning tool that can be added to the conservators' tool-kit. It is ideal for cleaning procedures dealing with porous and complex structured surfaces, vertical surfaces and for long time applications.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000580572500001 Publication Date 2020-10-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2050-7445 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.5 Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes ; Ehab Al-Emam thanks the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education for funding his Ph.D. scholarship in addition to being grateful to University of Antwerp for additional funding. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.5; 2020 IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:173594 Serial 6466  
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Author Al-Emam, E.; Motawea, A.G.; Janssens, K.; Caen, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Evaluation of polyvinyl alcohol–borax/agarose (PVA–B/AG) blend hydrogels for removal of deteriorated consolidants from ancient Egyptian wall paintings Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2019 Publication Heritage science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 7 Issue 7 Pages 22  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)  
  Abstract This study concerns the assessment of a new polyvinyl alcohol–borax/agarose blend hydrogel (PVA–B/AG) tailored for the conservation of ancient Egyptian wall paintings. The increasing problems of deteriorated consolidants affecting ancient wall paintings have attracted the interest of conservation scientists in the last 20 years. The ability of a new blend for removing aged Paraloid® B-72 layers from painted stone and plaster samples has been evaluated. The hydrogel blend was used to expose the aged Paraloid in a controlled manner to six different cleaning system (CS). CS1–CS4 consist of solvents or solvent mixtures; CS5 and CS6 are nanostructured fluids (NSFs). The evaluation of the removal process was carried out by quantitative and qualitative methods, namely, visual examination, 3D microscopy, contact angle and colorimetric measurements and by Fourier transform infra-red spectrometry in reflectance mode. The results showed that the PVA–B/AG blend hydrogel, loaded with specific cleaning systems, was able to remove deteriorated B-72 and allowed to restore the painted surface to a state close to the original one. The PVA–B/AG blend showed good workability, permitting it to be easily cut, shaped, applied and removed. It could also be verified by means of different investigation methods that the blend left no detectable residues. As a final realistic check of the method, the PVA–B/AG hydrogel loaded with the best functioning cleaning system (CS3) was used to remove an aged consolidant layer from an ancient Egyptian wall painting.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000463733900001 Publication Date 2019-04-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2050-7445 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 2 Open Access  
  Notes ; Ehab Al-Emam acknowledges the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education for funding his PhD scholarship. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:158879 Serial 5615  
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