Record |
Author |
Rahemi, V.; Sarmadian, N.; Anaf, W.; Janssens, K.; Lamoen, D.; Partoens, B.; De Wael, K. |
Title |
Unique opto-electronic structure and photo reduction properties of sulfur doped lead chromates explaining their instability in paintings |
Type |
A1 Journal article |
Year |
2017 |
Publication |
Analytical chemistry |
Abbreviated Journal |
Anal Chem |
Volume |
89 |
Issue |
89 |
Pages |
3326-3334 |
Keywords |
A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation) |
Abstract |
Chrome yellow refers to a group of synthetic inorganic pigments that became popular as an artists material from the second quarter of the 19th century. The color of the pigment, in which the chromate ion acts as a chromophore, is related to its chemical composition (PbCr1-xSxO4, with 0≤x≤0.8) and crystalline structure (monoclinic/orthorhombic). Their shades range from the yellow-orange to the paler yellow tones with increasing sulfate amount. These pigments show remarkable signs of degradation after limited time periods. Pure PbCrO4 (crocoite in its natural form) has a deep yellow color and is relatively stable, while the co-precipitate with lead sulfate (PbCr1-xSxO4) has a paler shade and seems to degrade faster. This degradation is assumed to be related to the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). We show that on increasing the sulfur(S)-content in chrome yellow, the band gap increases. Typically, when increasing the band gap, one might assume that a decrease in photo activity is the result. However, the photo activity relative to the Cr content, and thus Cr reduction, of sulfur-rich PbCr1-xSxO4 is found to be much higher compared to the sulfur-poor or non-doped lead chromates. This discrepancy can be explained by the evolution of the crystal and electronic structure as function of the sulfur content: first-principles density functional theory calculations show that both the absorption coefficient and reflection coefficients of the lead chromates change as a result of the sulfate doping in such a way that the generation of electron-hole pairs under illumination relative to the total Cr content increases. These changes in the material properties explain why paler shade yellow colors of this pigment are more prone to discoloration. The electronic structure calculations also demonstrate that lead chromate and its co-precipitates are p-type semiconductors, which explains the observed reduction reaction. As understanding this phenomenon is valuable in the field of cultural heritage, this study is the first joint action of photo-electrochemical measurements and first-principles calculations to approve the higher tendency of sulfur-rich lead chromates to darken. |
Address |
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Corporate Author |
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Thesis |
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Publisher |
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Place of Publication |
Washington, D.C. |
Editor |
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Language |
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Wos |
000397478300015 |
Publication Date |
2017-02-23 |
Series Editor |
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Series Title |
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Abbreviated Series Title |
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Series Volume |
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Series Issue |
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Edition |
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ISSN |
0003-2700 |
ISBN |
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Additional Links |
UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles |
Impact Factor |
6.32 |
Times cited |
7 |
Open Access |
OpenAccess |
Notes ![sorted by Notes field, ascending order (up)](img/sort_asc.gif) |
; The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) and the HPC infrastructure of the University of Antwerp (CalcUA), both funded by the Hercules Foundation and the Flemish Government, department EWI. The BOF-GOA action SOLARPAINT of the University of Antwerp Research Council is acknowledged for financial support. W.A. acknowledges support from BELSPO project S2-ART. Dr. L. Monico and Dr. C. Miliani (ISTM, Perugia) are gratefully acknowledged for helpful discussions and for providing some of the initial batches of the materials studied. ; |
Approved |
Most recent IF: 6.32 |
Call Number |
UA @ lucian @ c:irua:140886 |
Serial |
4451 |
Permanent link to this record |