Publication
Title
Degradation process of lead chromate in paintings by Vincent van Gogh studied by means of spectromicroscopic methods : 4 : artificial aging of model samples of co-precipitates of lead chromate and lead sulfate
Author
Abstract
Previous investigations about the darkening of chrome yellow pigments revealed that this form of alteration is attributable to a reduction of the original Cr(VI) to Cr(III), and that the presence of sulfur-containing compounds, most often sulfates, plays a key role during this process. We recently demonstrated that different crystal forms of chrome yellow pigments (PbCrO4 and PbCr1xSxO4) are present in paintings by Vincent van Gogh. In the present work, we show how both the chemical composition and the crystalline structure of lead chromate-based pigments influence their stability. For this purpose, oil model samples made with in-house synthesized powders of PbCrO4 and PbCr1xSxO4 were artificially aged and characterized. We observed a profound darkening only for those paint models made with PbCr1xSxO4, rich in SO42 (x ≥ 0.4), and orthorhombic phases (>30 wt %). Cr and S K-edge micro X-ray absorption near edge structure investigations revealed in an unequivocal manner the formation of up to about 60% of Cr(III)-species in the outer layer of the most altered samples; conversely, independent of the paint models chemical composition, no change in the S-oxidation state was observed. Analyses employing UVvisible diffuse reflectance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed on unaged and aged model samples in order to obtain additional information on the physicochemical changes induced by the aging treatment.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Analytical chemistry. - Washington, D.C., 1948, currens
Publication
Washington, D.C. : 2013
ISSN
0003-2700 [print]
5206-882X [online]
DOI
10.1021/AC3021592
Volume/pages
85 :2 (2013) , p. 860-867
ISI
000313668400032
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Structure analysis of hard and soft condensed matter using synchrotron radiation (ESRF-DUBBLE).
Building up of expertise for the performance of accelerated weathering tests in the area of conservation science.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 28.09.2013
Last edited 04.03.2024
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