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Author Radepont, M.; Coquinot, Y.; Janssens, K.; Ezrati, J.-J.; de Nolf, W.; Cotte, M.
Title Thermodynamic and experimental study of the degradation of the red pigment mercury sulfide Type A1 Journal article
Year 2015 Publication Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry Abbreviated Journal (up) J Anal Atom Spectrom
Volume 30 Issue 3 Pages 599-612
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract The red pigment mercury sulfide, called cinnabar or vermilion, is well known to suffer from an alteration giving rise to a grey, grey-white or black color at the surface of degraded works of art. This phenomenon can dramatically affect the esthetical value of artworks. This work aims at assessing the factors (light, halides) influencing the instability of red mercury sulfide and understanding (by combining thermodynamic and experimental approaches) the chemical equilibria governing the formation and evolution of the different degradation compounds. From the thermodynamic study of the Hg-S-Cl-H2O system, it was concluded that Hg(0), Hg3S2Cl2, and Hg2Cl2 can be formed from the reaction of alpha-HgS with ClO(g). In the second part, the artificial ageing experiments presented were carried out on model samples following the conditions assessed in the first part, in order to reproduce natural ageing observed on red mercury sulfide. Similarly to degradation compounds detected on original works of art, mercury chlorine compounds such as calomel (Hg2Cl2) and corderoite (alpha-Hg3S2Cl2) were identified on the surface of alpha-HgS model samples, when exposed to light and a sodium hypochlorite solution. Sulfates were detected as well, and more particularly gypsum (CaSO4 center dot 2H(2)O) when Ca was originally present in the model sample. The relationship between color and composition is discussed as well.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000350650800005 Publication Date 2015-01-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0267-9477 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.379 Times cited 26 Open Access
Notes ; The authors gratefully acknowledge the ESRF for granting beamtime under proposal no. EC720. Michel Dubus is thanked for providing precious advices concerning ageing protocols. This research was supported by Belgian Science Policy project S2-ART (BELSPO S4DA), the GOA “SOLARPAINT” (Research Fund University of Antwerp, Belgium) and FWO (Brussels, Belgium) projects no. G.0C12.13, G.0704.08 and G.01769.09. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.379; 2015 IF: 3.466
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:125474 Serial 5877
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Author Radepont, M.; de Nolf, W.; Janssens, K.; van der Snickt, G.; Coquinot, Y.; Klaassen, L.; Cotte, M.
Title The use of microscopic X-ray diffraction for the study of HgS and its degradation products corderoite (\alpha-Hg3S2Cl2), kenhsuite (\gamma-Hg3S2Cl2) and calomel (Hg2Cl2) in historical paintings Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry Abbreviated Journal (up) J Anal Atom Spectrom
Volume 26 Issue 5 Pages 959-968
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Since antiquity, the red pigment mercury sulfide (α-HgS), called cinnabar in its natural form or vermilion red when synthetic, was very often used in frescoes and paintings, even if it was known to suffer occasionally from degradation. The paint hereby acquires a black or silver-grey aspect. The chemical characterization of these alteration products is rather challenging mainly because of the micrometric size and heterogeneity of the surface layers that develop and that are responsible for the color change. Methods such as electron microscopy, synchrotron-based microscopic X-ray fluorescence, microscopic X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy, Raman microscopy and secondary ion microscopy have been previously employed to identify the (Hg- and S-) compounds present and to study their co-localization. Next to these, also microscopic X-ray diffraction (XRD) (either by making use of laboratory X-ray sources or when used at a synchrotron facility) allows the identification of the crystal phases that are present in degraded HgS paint layers. In this paper we employ these various forms of micro-XRD to analyze degraded red paint in different paintings and compare the results with other X-ray based methods. Whereas the elemental analyses of the degradation products revealed, next to mercury and sulfur, the presence of chlorine, X-ray diffraction allowed the identification, next to α-HgS, of the Hg and S-containing compound calomel (Hg2Cl2) but also of the Hg, S and Cl-containing minerals corderoite (α-Hg3S2Cl2) and kenhsuite (γ-Hg3S2Cl2). These observations are consistent with X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements performed at the S- and Cl-edges.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000289731900011 Publication Date 2011-03-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0267-9477 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.379 Times cited 40 Open Access
Notes ; The authors gratefully acknowledge GOA programme “XANES meets EELS'' (University of Antwerp Research Council), the IUAP VI/P16 programme ”Nacho'' (BELSPO, Brussels, Belgium) and FWO (Brussels, Belgium) projects no. G.0689.06, G.0704.08 and G017909N for financial support, the ESRF for granting beamtime under proposals no. EC442 and EC720, and Gema Martinez-Criado for practical help on ID18F. The KMSKA staff is also gratefully acknowledged for their help and interest. Javier Chillida is thanked for providing us with the Pedralbes samples. The authors are also indebted to the CHARISMA project (grant agreement 228330) for financial support. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.379; 2011 IF: 3.220
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:89927 Serial 5896
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Author Monico, L.; Prati, S.; Sciutto, G.; Catelli, E.; Romani, A.; Balbas, D.Q.; Li, Z.; De Meyer, S.; Nuyts, G.; Janssens, K.; Cotte, M.; Garrevoet, J.; Falkenberg, G.; Tardillo Suarez, V.I.; Tucoulou, R.; Mazzeo, R.
Title Development of a multi-method analytical approach based on the combination of synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-analytical techniques and vibrational micro-spectroscopy methods to unveil the causes and mechanism of darkening of “fake-gilded” decorations in a Cimabue painting Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry Abbreviated Journal (up) J Anal Atom Spectrom
Volume 37 Issue 1 Pages 114-129
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
Abstract Redox processes activated by environmental factors have been identified as the main cause of the chromatic alterations of a number of artists' pigments, including the yellow pigment orpiment (As2S3). Although a general comprehension of the mechanisms has been provided through characterization of degradation compounds of As2S3, experimental evidences to prove how other paint components and how different environmental agents influence the formation pathways of specific secondary compounds are still lacking. Thus, it becomes fundamental to develop a methodological strategy which enable achieving a discrimination among the causes affecting the chemical stability of more heterogenous As2S3-based paints and defining the mechanism through which the alteration establishes and evolves, with the ultimate goal of optimizing the preventive conservation measures of unique masterpieces. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive multi-material and multi-method approach based on the combination of synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-analytical techniques (i.e., X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy at S K-/Ag L-3-/As K-edges) and vibrational micro-spectroscopy methods to unveil the causes and mechanism of darkening of “fake-gilded” decorations in tempera paintings, originally consisting of an unusual mixture of As2S3 and metallic silver (Ag-0). Such degradation process is a not yet understood phenomenon threatening a series of Old Master paintings, including those by the Italian painters Cimabue and Pietro Lorenzetti. The high specificity, sensitivity and lateral resolution of the employed analytical methods allowed providing first-time evidence for the presence of black acanthite (alpha-Ag2S), mimetite [Pb-5(AsO4)(3)Cl] and syngenite [K2Ca(SO4)(2)center dot H2O] as degradation products of the “fake-gilded” decorations in the Maesta by Cimabue (Church of Santa Maria dei Servi, Bologna, Italy). Furthermore, the study of the painting combined with that of tempera paint mock-ups permitted to explore and define the environmental agents and internal factors causing the darkening, by proving that: (i) Ag-0 and moisture are key-factors for triggering the transformation of As2S3 to alpha-Ag2S and As-oxides; (ii) S2--ions arising from the degradation of As2S3 are the main responsible for the formation of alpha-Ag2S; (iii) light exposure strengthens the tendency of the paint components towards alteration. Based on our findings, we finally propose a degradation mechanism of As2S3/Ag-0-based tempera paints.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000722353400001 Publication Date 2021-11-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0267-9477 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184871 Serial 7142
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Author Monico, L.; Janssens, K.; Cotte, M.; Sorace, L.; Vanmeert, F.; Brunetti, B.G.; Miliani, C.
Title Chromium speciation methods and infrared spectroscopy for studying the chemical reactivity of lead chromate-based pigments in oil medium Type A1 Journal article
Year 2016 Publication Microchemical journal T2 – TECHNART Conference, APR 27-30, 2015, Catania, ITALY Abbreviated Journal (up) Microchem J
Volume 124 Issue Pages 272-282
Keywords A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Environmental factors, such as light, humidity and temperature are triggering agents for the alteration of organic and/or inorganic constituents of oil paintings. The oxidation of the organic material is favored by increasing of relative humidity and temperature, whereas processes involving changes of the oxidation states of a number of inorganic pigments (e.g., vermilion, cadmium yellows, zinc yellows, chrome yellows) are mainly activated by light-exposure. In view of the optimization of the long-term conservation and restoration strategies of paintings it is of relevant interest to establish the consequences of thermal parameters (temperature and relative humidity) on the chemical/photochemical-reactivity and the nature of the alteration products of light sensitive-pigments in oil medium. To this aim here we propose a multi-method analytical approach based on the combination of diffuse reflectance UV-Vis, FTIR, synchrotron radiation (SR)-based micro X-ray fluorescence (mu-XRF)/micro-X-ray absorption neat edge structure ()CANES) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies for studying the effects of different relative humidity conditions before and after light exposure on the reactivity of a series of lead chromate-based pigments [such as PbCrO4 center dot PbO (monoclinic), PbCrO4 (monoclinic) and PbCr0.2S0.8O4 (orthorhombic)] in an oil medium. The investigation of paint models was also compared to that of a late 19th century historical orthorhombic PbCr0.4S0.6O4 oil paint. Diffuse reflectance UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopies were used to obtain information associated with chromatic changes and the formation of organo-metal degradation products at the paint surface. SR-based Cr K-edge mu-XANES/mu-XRF mapping analysis and EPR spectroscopy were employed in a complementary fashion to determine the amount, nature and distribution of Cr(III) and Cr(V)-based alteration compounds within the paints with micrometric spatial resolution. Under the employed thermal aging conditions, lead(II)-carboxylates and reduced Cr-compounds (in abundance of up to about 35% at the surface) have been identified in the lead chromate-based paints. The tendency of chromates to become reduced increased with increasing moisture levels and was favored for the orthorhombic PbCr0.2S0.8O4 compounds. The redox process gave rise to the formation of Cr(V)-species in relative amount much higher than that was formed in the equivalent paint which was exposed only to light. After light-exposure of the thermally aged paints, compounds ascribable to the oxidation of the organic binder were detected for all the types of pigments. Nevertheless, the previous thermal treatment increased the tendency toward photo-reduction of only the PbCr0.2S0.8O4 pigment. For this light-sensitive compound, the thickness variation of the reduced Cr-rich (ca. 70%) photo-alteration layer with moisture levels could be ascribed to a surface passivation phenomenon that had already occurred before photochemical aging. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000367755600042 Publication Date 2015-09-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0026-265x; 0026-265x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.034 Times cited 23 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.034
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:131099 Serial 5519
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Author Cotte, M.; Gonzalez, V.; Vanmeert, F.; Monico, L.; Dejoie, C.; Burghammer, M.; Huder, L.; de Nolf, W.; Fisher, S.; Fazlic, I.; Chauffeton, C.; Wallez, G.; Jimenez, N.; Albert-Tortosa, F.; Salvado, N.; Possenti, E.; Colombo, C.; Ghirardello, M.; Comelli, D.; Avranovich Clerici, E.; Vivani, R.; Romani, A.; Costantino, C.; Janssens, K.; Taniguchi, Y.; McCarthy, J.; Reichert, H.; Susini, J.
Title The “Historical Materials BAG” : a new facilitated access to synchrotron X-ray diffraction analyses for cultural heritage materials at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Molecules: a journal of synthetic chemistry and natural product chemistry Abbreviated Journal (up) Molecules
Volume 27 Issue 6 Pages 1997-21
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
Abstract The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) has recently commissioned the new Extremely Brilliant Source (EBS). The gain in brightness as well as the continuous development of beamline instruments boosts the beamline performances, in particular in terms of accelerated data acquisition. This has motivated the development of new access modes as an alternative to standard proposals for access to beamtime, in particular via the “block allocation group” (BAG) mode. Here, we present the recently implemented “historical materials BAG”: a community proposal giving to 10 European institutes the opportunity for guaranteed beamtime at two X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) beamlines-ID13, for 2D high lateral resolution XRPD mapping, and ID22 for high angular resolution XRPD bulk analyses-with a particular focus on applications to cultural heritage. The capabilities offered by these instruments, the specific hardware and software developments to facilitate and speed-up data acquisition and data processing are detailed, and the first results from this new access are illustrated with recent applications to pigments, paintings, ceramics and wood.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000776369800001 Publication Date 2022-03-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1420-3049 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.6
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188053 Serial 7218
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Author Christiansen, T.; Cotte, M.; de Nolf, W.; Mouro, E.; Reyes-Herrera, J.; De Meyer, S.; Vanmeert, F.; Salvado, N.; Gonzalez, V.; Lindelof, P.E.; Mortensen, K.; Ryholt, K.; Janssens, K.; Larsen, S.
Title Insights into the composition of ancient Egyptian red and black inks on papyri achieved by synchrotron-based microanalyses Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America Abbreviated Journal (up) P Natl Acad Sci Usa
Volume 117 Issue 45 Pages 27825-27835
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract A hitherto unknown composition is highlighted in the red and black inks preserved on ancient Egyptian papyri from the Roman period (circa 100 to 200 CE). Synchrotron-based macro-X-ray fluo-rescence (XRF) mapping brings to light the presence of iron (Fe) and lead (Pb) compounds in the majority of the red inks inscribed on 12 papyrus fragments from the Tebtunis temple library. The iron-based compounds in the inks can be assigned to ocher, notably due to the colocalization of Fe with aluminum, and the detection of hematite (Fe2O3) by micro-X-ray diffraction. Using the same techniques together with micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Pb is shown to be associated with fatty acid phosphate, sulfate, chloride, and carboxylate ions. Moreover, microXRF maps reveal a peculiar distribution and colocalization of Pb, phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S), which are present at the micrometric scale resembling diffused “coffee rings” surrounding the ocher particles imbedded in the red letters, and at the submicrometric scale concentrated in the papyrus cell walls. A similar Pb, P, and S composition was found in three black inks, suggesting that the same lead components were employed in the manufacture of carbon-based inks. Bearing in mind that pigments such as red lead (Pb3O4) and lead white (hydrocerussite [Pb-3(CO3)(2)(OH)(2)] and/or cerussite [PbCO3]) were not detected, the results presented here suggest that the lead compound in the ink was used as a drier rather than as a pigment. Accordingly, the study calls for a reassessment of the composition of lead-based components in ancient Mediterranean pigments.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000590753400016 Publication Date 2020-10-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0027-8424; 1091-6490 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2020 IF: 9.661
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174323 Serial 8107
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Author da Pieve, F.; Hogan, C.; Lamoen, D.; Verbeeck, J.; Vanmeert, F.; Radepont, M.; Cotte, M.; Janssens, K.; Gonze, X.; Van Tendeloo, G.
Title Casting light on the darkening of colors in historical paintings Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication Physical review letters Abbreviated Journal (up) Phys Rev Lett
Volume 111 Issue 20 Pages 208302-208305
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract The degradation of colors in historical paintings affects our cultural heritage in both museums and archeological sites. Despite intensive experimental studies, the origin of darkening of one of the most ancient pigments known to humankind, vermilion (α-HgS), remains unexplained. Here, by combining many-body theoretical spectroscopy and high-resolution microscopic x-ray diffraction, we clarify the composition of the damaged paint work and demonstrate possible physicochemical processes, induced by illumination and exposure to humidity and air, that cause photoactivation of the original pigment and the degradation of the secondary minerals. The results suggest a new path for the darkening process which was never considered by previous studies and prompt a critical examination of their findings.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication New York, N.Y. Editor
Language Wos 000327244500003 Publication Date 2013-11-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0031-9007;1079-7114; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.462 Times cited 30 Open Access
Notes Vortex; ERC FP7; COUNTATOMS; ECASJO_; Approved Most recent IF: 8.462; 2013 IF: 7.728
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:111396UA @ admin @ c:irua:111396 Serial 287
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Author Cotte, M.; Checroun, E.; De Nolf, W.; Taniguchi, Y.; De Viguerie, L.; Burghammer, M.; Walter, P.; Rivard, C.; Salome, M.; Janssens, K.; Susini, J.
Title Lead soaps in paintings : friends or foes? Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication Studies in conservation Abbreviated Journal (up) Stud Conserv
Volume 62 Issue 1 Pages 2-23
Keywords A1 Journal article; Art; History; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract The origin(s) and role(s) of metal soaps in paints are a worldwide concern today. These hybrid compounds, containing both fatty acid chains and metals associated with a carboxylate function, are increasingly identified in paints. As reviewed in the first part of this work, the presence of metal soaps in paints is differently interpreted in scientific publications: metal soaps are sometimes considered to play a positive role as anchor points, during paint drying processes; they can also be considered as responsible for many degradation processes (protrusions, efflorescences, darkening, etc.). Their origins are also interpreted in various ways. In some paintings (in particular from the twentieth century), they have sometimes introduced on purpose, as additives, to modify the physical properties of the painting materials. In older paintings, metal soaps are usually thought to result from an uncontrolled reaction of oil with lead-based pigments, in particular lead white, red lead, and lead tin yellow. In the second part of this work, the review of historical recipes of lead-based paint shows an important number of recipes based on controlled mixing of oil with lead driers. In the third part, the experimental reproduction of such traditional recipes using walnut oil and litharge (PbO) shows that lead soaps can be formed, both in about one hour at approximate to 100 degrees C, or in about one month at room temperature. It shows as well that after a few years, litharge is no longer detected in the paint medium, while different lead carbonates are. Finally, the micro-infrared spectroscopy and micro-X-ray diffraction re-analysis of protrusions from a nine-year model painting shows together with lead soaps, the presence of Pb-5(CO3)(3)(OH)(2)O ('synthetic plumbonacrite'), an unusual phase recently observed in a protrusion from a painting by Vincent Van Gogh. This work highlights (i) the multiple origins and roles of metal soaps in paints and (ii) the importance of combining the analysis of fragments from historical paintings with the analysis and reproduction of historical recipes. In particular, we show that the components detected today in historical paintings may severely differ from those originally used or prepared by the painter, complicating the assessment of the painter's intentions. More than the presence of metal soaps, the key questions to be tackled should be about their origins and (re)mobilization.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000393691200002 Publication Date 2016-10-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0039-3630; 2047-0584 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 0.578 Times cited 26 Open Access
Notes ; This work was supported by the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. ; Approved Most recent IF: 0.578
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:141976 Serial 5690
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