Plumbonacrite identified by X-ray powder diffraction tomography as a missing link during degradation of red lead in a Van Gogh painting

Synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRDCT): a new tool in cultural heritage and stone conservation for 3D non-destructive probing and phase analysis of inorganic re-treatments

The issue of preserving carbonatic stones of cultural heritage (CH) restored in the past that have undergone new decay phenomena is strongly emerging and conservation science has not yet found a reliable solution. In this paper, we propose the application of synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction computed tomography (XRDCT) to explore the effects of using inorganic-mineral products (ammonium oxalate; ammonium phosphate) in sequence as a novel, compatible and effective re-treatment approach to consolidate decayed carbonatic stones already treated with inorganic-mineral treatments. High-quality XRDCT datasets were used to qualitatively/quantitatively investigate and 3D localize the complex mixture of crystalline phases formed after the conservation re-treatments within a porous carbonatic stone substrate. The XRDCT reconstruction images and the structural refinements of XRD patterns with the Rietveld methods showed that the phase composition of reaction products, their volume distribution, and weight fraction vary as a function of the treatment sequence and penetration depth. The high potential of XRDCT allows (i) assessment of peculiar trends of each treatment/treatment sequence; (ii) exploration of the reaction steps of the sequential treatments and (iii) demonstration of the consolidating effect of inorganic re-treatments, non-destructively and at the micron scale. Above all, our study (i) provides new analytical tools to support the conservation choices, (ii) showcases new analytical possibilities for XRDCT in conservation science, including in investigations of CH materials and decay processes, and (iii) opens up new perspectives in analytical chemistry and material characterisation for the non-destructive and non-invasive analysis of reactions within heterogeneous polycrystalline systems.

Correlated x-ray fluorescence and ptychographic nano-tomography on Rembrandt's The Night Watch reveals unknown lead "layer"

The Night Watch, one of the most famous masterpieces by Rembrandt, is the subject of a large research and conservation project. For the conservation treatment, it is of great importance to understand its current condition. Correlated nano-tomography using x-ray fluorescence and ptychography revealed a-so far unknown-lead-containing "layer", which likely acts as a protective impregnation layer applied on the canvas before the quartz-clay ground was applied. This layer might explain the presence of lead soap protrusions in areas where no other lead components are present. In addition to the three-dimensional elemental mapping, ptychography visualizes and quantifies components not detectable by hard x-ray fluorescence such as the organic fraction and quartz. The first-time use of this combination of synchrotron-based techniques on a historic paint micro-sample shows it to be an important tool to better interpret the results of noninvasive imaging techniques operating on the macroscale.

Graphene nanoplatelets and other 2D-materials as protective means against the fading of coloured inks, dyes and paints

The present work demonstrates the ability of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and other two-dimensional materials (2DMs) like tungsten disulfide (WS2), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) to act as protective barriers against the fading of architectural paints and also inks/paints used in art. The results present a new approach for improving the lightfastness of colours of artworks and painted indoor/outdoor wall surfaces taking advantage of the remarkable properties of 2DMs. As shown herein, commercial inks and architectural paints of different colours doped with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and other 2DMs, exhibit a superior resistance to fading under ultraviolet radiation or even under exposure to visible light. A spectroscopic study on these inks and dyes reveals that the peaks which are characteristic of the colour pigments are less affected from aging/fading when the GNPs and the other 2DMs are present. The protection mechanism for the GNPs and the other 2DMs differs. For GNPs, mainly their high surface area which leads to free radicals scavenging (especially hydroxyl radicals), and secondarily their UV absorption, are responsible for their protection effects, while for GO, a transition to rGO structures and consequently to 'smart' paints can be observed after the performed aging routes. In this way, the paint gets improved by time preventing or slowing its own fading and decolorization. For the other 2DMs, the transition-metal dichalcogenides performed better than hBN, even though they all absorb in the UV region. This can be ascribed to the facts that the formers also absorb in the visible, while hBN does not, while most importantly, they can trap reactive oxygen species (ROS) and corrosive gases in their structure as opposed to hBN. By conducting colorimetric measurements, we have discovered that the lifetime of the as-developed 2DM-doped inks and paints can be extended by up to ∼40%.

Preventing colour fading in artworks with graphene veils

Modern and contemporary art materials are generally prone to irreversible colour changes upon exposure to light and oxidizing agents. Graphene can be produced in thin large sheets, blocks ultraviolet light, and is impermeable to oxygen, moisture and corrosive agents; therefore, it has the potential to be used as a transparent layer for the protection of art objects in museums, during storage and transportation. Here we show that a single-layer or multilayer graphene veil, produced by chemical vapour deposition, can be deposited over artworks to protect them efficiently against colour fading, with a protection factor of up to 70%. We also show that this process is reversible since the graphene protective layer can be removed using a soft rubber eraser without causing any damage to the artwork. We have also explored a complementary contactless graphene-based route for colour protection that is based on the deposition of graphene on picture framing glass for use when the direct application of graphene is not feasible due to surface roughness or artwork fragility. Overall, the present results are a proof of concept of the potential use of graphene as an effective and removable protective advanced material to prevent colour fading in artworks.

X-ray Diffraction Computed Nanotomography Applied to Solve the Structure of Hierarchically Phase-Separated Metallic Glass

The structure of matter at the nanoscale, in particular that of amorphous metallic alloys, is of vital importance for functionalization. With the availability of synchrotron radiation, it is now possible to visualize the internal features of metallic samples without physically destroying them. Methods based on computed tomography have recently been employed to explore the local features. Tomographic reconstruction, while it is relatively uncomplicated for crystalline materials, may generate undesired artifacts when applied to featureless amorphous or nanostructured metallic alloys. In this study we show that X-ray diffraction computed nanotomography can provide accurate details of the internal structure of a metallic glass. We demonstrate the power of the method by applying it to a hierarchically phase-separated amorphous sample with a small volume fraction of crystalline inclusions, focusing the X-ray beam to 500 nm and ensuring a sub-micrometer 2D resolution via the number of scans.

DLSR: a solution to the parallax artefact in X-ray diffraction computed tomography data

A new tomographic reconstruction algorithm is presented, termed direct least-squares reconstruction (DLSR), which solves the well known parallax problem in X-ray-scattering-based experiments. The parallax artefact arises from relatively large samples where X-rays, scattered from a scattering angle 2θ, arrive at multiple detector elements. This phenomenon leads to loss of physico-chemical information associated with diffraction peak shape and position (i.e. altering the calculated crystallite size and lattice parameter values, respectively) and is currently the major barrier to investigating samples and devices at the centimetre level (scale-up problem). The accuracy of the DLSR algorithm has been tested against simulated and experimental X-ray diffraction computed tomography data using the TOPAS software.

Insight into the effects of moisture and layer build-up on the formation of lead soaps using micro-ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging of complex painted stratigraphies

Metal soaps are formed in paint layers thorough the reaction of metal ions of pigments and fatty acids of organic binders. In this study, micro-ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging was used to analyse the formation of lead soaps in oil-based paint layers in relation to their exposure to moisture sources. The investigations were carried out on authentic samples of complex stratigraphies from cold painted terracotta statues (Sacred Mount, Varallo, UNESCO) and different IR-active lead white pigments, organic materials, and lead soaps were discriminated. The saponification of selected paint layers was correlated to the conservation history, the manufacturing technique, and the build-up of layers. The presence of hydrophilic layers within the stratigraphy and their role as a further water source are discussed. Furthermore, the modifications experienced by lead-based pigments from the core of an intact grain of pigment towards the newly formed decay phases were investigated via a novel approach based on shift of the peak for the corresponding spectral bands and their integrated absorbance in the ATR-FTIR spectra. Qualitative information on the spatial distribution from the chemical images was combined with quantitative information on the peak shift to evaluate the different manufacture (lead carbonate, basic lead carbonate) or the extent of decay undergone by the lead-based pigments as a function of their grain size, contiguous layers, and moisture source. Similar results, having a high impact on heritage science and analytical chemistry, allow developing up-to-date conservation strategies by connecting an advanced knowledge of the materials to the social and conservation history of artefacts.

Damages Induced by Synchrotron Radiation-Based X-ray Microanalysis in Chrome Yellow Paints and Related Cr-Compounds: Assessment, Quantification, and Mitigation Strategies

Synchrotron radiation (SR)-based X-ray methods are powerful analytical tools for several purposes. They are widely used to probe the degradation mechanisms of inorganic artists' pigments in paintings, including chrome yellows (PbCr_1-xS_xO₄; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8), a class of compounds often found in Van Gogh masterpieces. However, the high intensity and brightness of SR beams raise important issues regarding the potential damage inflicted on the analyzed samples. A thorough knowledge of the SR X-ray sensitivity of each class of pigment in the painting matrix is therefore required to find analytical strategies that seek to minimize the damage for preserving the integrity of the analyzed samples and to avoid data misinterpretation. Here, we employ a combination of Cr K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, Cr-K_β X-ray emission spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction to monitor and quantify the effects of SR X-rays on the stability of chrome yellows and related Cr compounds and to define mitigation strategies. We found that the SR X-ray beam exposure induces changes in the oxidation state and local coordination environment of Cr ions and leads to a loss of the compound's crystalline structure. The extent of X-ray damage depends on some intrinsic properties of the samples (chemical composition of the pigment and the presence/absence and nature of the binder). It can be minimized by optimizing the overall fluence/dose released to the samples and by working in vacuum and under cryogenic conditions.

X-ray Diffraction Mapping for Cultural Heritage Science: a Review of Experimental Configurations and Applications

X-ray diffraction (XRD) mapping consists in the acquisition of XRD patterns at each pixel (or voxel) of an area (or volume). The spatial resolution ranges from the micrometer (μXRD) to the millimeter (MA-XRD) scale, making the technique relevant for tiny samples up to large objects. Although XRD is primarily used for the identification of different materials in (complex) mixtures, additional information regarding the crystallite size, their orientation, and their in-depth distribution can also be obtained. Through mapping, these different types of information can be located on the studied sample/object. Cultural heritage objects are usually highly heterogeneous, and contain both original and later (degradation, conservation) materials. Their structural characterization is required both to determine ancient manufacturing processes and to evaluate their conservation state. Together with other mapping techniques, XRD mapping is increasingly used for these purposes. Here, the authors review applications as well as the various configurations for XRD mapping (synchrotron/laboratory X-ray source, poly-/monochromatic beam, micro/macro beam, 2D/3D, transmission/reflection mode). On-going hardware and software developments will further establish the technique as a key tool in heritage science.

Investigation of (micro-)meteoritic materials at the new hard X-ray imaging PUMA beamline for heritage sciences

At the French synchrotron facility SOLEIL, a new X-ray imaging facility PUMA (Photons Utilisés pour les Matériaux Anciens) has been made available to scientific communities studying materials from cultural heritage. This new instrument aims to achieve 2D and 3D imaging with microscopic resolution, applying different analytical techniques including X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray diffraction and phase-contrast imaging. In order to discover its capabilities a detailed analytical characterization of this beamline as an analytical and imaging tool is deemed necessary. In this work, (confocal) XRF and XAS analyses are demonstrated using the Seymchan pallasite meteorite and an Antarctic unmelted micrometeorite as case studies. The obtained spatial resolution (2 µm × 3 µm) and sensitivity (detection limits <10 p.p.m. for 1 s acquisition at 18 keV) show that PUMA is a competitive state-of-the-art beamline, providing several high-profile and high-in-demand analytical methods while maintaining applicability towards a wide range of heritage-oriented sciences.

Paleo-inspired Systems: Durability, Sustainability, and Remarkable Properties

The process of mimicking properties of specific interest (such as mechanical, optical, and structural) observed in ancient and historical systems is designated here as paleo-inspiration. For instance, recovery in archaeology or paleontology identifies materials that are a posteriori extremely resilient to alteration. All the more encouraging is that many ancient materials were synthesized in soft chemical ways, often using low-energy resources and sometimes rudimentary manufacturing equipment. In this Minireview, ancient systems are presented as a source of inspiration for innovative material design in the Anthropocene.

Photochemistry of Artists' Dyes and Pigments: Towards Better Understanding and Prevention of Colour Change in Works of Art

The absorption of light gives a pigment its colour and its reason for being, but it also creates excited states, that is, new molecules with an energy excess that can be dissipated through degradation pathways. Photodegradation processes provoke long-term, cumulative and irreversible colour changes (fading, darkening, blanching) of which the prediction and prevention are challenging tasks. Of all the environmental risks that affect heritage materials, light exposure is the only one that cannot be controlled without any impact on the optimal display of the exhibit. Light-induced alterations are not only associated with the pigment itself but also with its interactions with support/binder and, in turn, are further complicated by the nature of the environmental conditions. In this Minireview we investigate how chemistry, encompassing multi-scale analytical investigations of works of art, computational modelling and physical and chemical studies contributes to improve our prediction of artwork appearance before degradation and to establish effective preventive conservation strategies.

Materials science challenges in paintings

Through the paintings of the old masters, we showcase how materials science today provides us with a vision of the processes involved in the creation of a work of art: the choice of materials, the painter's skill in handling these materials, and the perception of the finished work.

"Paintings Fade Like Flowers": Pigment Analysis and Digital Reconstruction of a Faded Pink Lake Pigment in Vincent van Gogh's Undergrowth with Two Figures

Color fading in Vincent van Gogh's Undergrowth with Two Figures was studied chemically to facilitate the creation of a digital reconstruction of fugitive colors . The painting contains a field of white, green, orange, and yellow flowers under a canopy of poplar trees with two central figures-a man and a woman, arms entwined. From Van Gogh's letters, however, it is known that he painted the picture with some pink flowers, which appear to have altered, presumably to white. Raman spectroscopy was applied to microsamples of paint to identify the faded pigment as geranium lake, which in this painting consists of the dye, eosin (2',4',5',7'-tetrabromofluorescein). For the first time, lead(II) sulfate has been specifically identified as the likely inorganic substrate for a geranium lake used by Van Gogh in the last months of his life. Microfocus X-ray fluorescence (MXRF) spectroscopy was subsequently used in situ to analyze the white flowers to identify bromine as a proxy for eosin, thus indicating an original pink coloration. Of the 387 white flowers analyzed, 37.7% contained measurable bromine and were, therefore, originally pink. Several cross-sections from these formerly pink areas were assessed using a combination of visual inspection and microcolorimetry to create a colored mask in Adobe Photoshop to digitally reconstruct a suggestion of the original appearance of the painting with regard to the faded flowers. Additionally, microfadeometry was undertaken for the first time on a painting cross-section sample to understand the actual fading kinetics of the underlying bright pink geranium lake used by Van Gogh. A combination of Raman microspectroscopy, MXRF, and scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were utilized in situ and on paint microsamples to identify the complete palette used to create Undergrowth with Two Figures.

Non-Invasive and Non-Destructive Examination of Artistic Pigments, Paints, and Paintings by Means of X-Ray Methods

Recent studies are concisely reviewed, in which X-ray beams of (sub)micrometre to millimetre dimensions have been used for non-destructive analysis and characterization of pigments, minute paint samples, and/or entire paintings from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century painters. The overview presented encompasses the use of laboratory and synchrotron radiation-based instrumentation and deals with the use of several variants of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) as a method of elemental analysis and imaging, as well as with the combined use of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Microscopic XRF is a variant of the method that is well suited to visualize the elemental distribution of key elements, mostly metals, present in paint multi-layers, on the length scale from 1 to 100 μm inside micro-samples taken from paintings. In the context of the characterization of artists' pigments subjected to natural degradation, the use of methods limited to elemental analysis or imaging usually is not sufficient to elucidate the chemical transformations that have taken place. However, at synchrotron facilities, combinations of μ-XRF with related methods such as μ-XAS and μ-XRD have proven themselves to be very suitable for such studies. Their use is often combined with microscopic Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and/or Raman microscopy since these methods deliver complementary information of high molecular specificity at more or less the same length scale as the X-ray microprobe techniques. Since microscopic investigation of a relatively limited number of minute paint samples, taken from a given work of art, may not yield representative information about the entire artefact, several methods for macroscopic, non-invasive imaging have recently been developed. Those based on XRF scanning and full-field hyperspectral imaging appear very promising; some recent published results are discussed.

Tuning the Structural Color of a 2D Photonic Crystal Using a Bowl-like Nanostructure

Structural colors of the ordered photonic nanostructures are widely used as an effective platform for manipulating the propagation of light. Although several approaches have been explored in attempts to mimic the structural colors, improving the reproducibility, mechanical stability, and the economic feasibility of sophisticated photonic crystals prepared by complicated processes continues to pose a challenge. In this study, we report on an alternative, simple method for fabricating a tunable photonic crystal at room temperature. A bowl-like nanostructure of TiO2 was periodically arranged on a thin Ti sheet through a two-step anodization process where its diameters were systemically controlled by changing the applied voltage. Consequently, they displayed a broad color distribution, ranging from red to indigo, and the principal reason for color generation followed the Bragg diffraction theory. This noncolorant method was capable of reproducing a Mondrian painting on a centimeter scale without the need to employ complex architectures, where the generated structural colors were highly stable under mechanical or chemical influence. Such a color printing technique represents a potentially promising platform for practical applications for anticounterfeit trademarks, wearable sensors, and displays.

Interlaced X-ray diffraction computed tomography

An X-ray diffraction computed tomography data-collection strategy that allows, post experiment, a choice between temporal and spatial resolution is reported. This strategy enables time-resolved studies on comparatively short timescales, or alternatively allows for improved spatial resolution if the system under study, or components within it, appear to be unchanging. The application of the method for studying an Mn-Na-W/SiO2 fixed-bed reactor in situ is demonstrated. Additionally, the opportunities to improve the data-collection strategy further, enabling post-collection tuning between statistical, temporal and spatial resolutions, are discussed. In principle, the interlaced scanning approach can also be applied to other pencil-beam tomographic techniques, like X-ray fluorescence computed tomography, X-ray absorption fine structure computed tomography, pair distribution function computed tomography and tomographic scanning transmission X-ray microscopy.

Unraveling the Reactivity of Minium toward Bicarbonate and the Role of Lead Oxides Therein

Understanding the reactivity of (semiconductor) pigments provides vital information on how to improve conservation strategies for works of art to avoid rapid degradation of the pigments. This study focuses on the photoactivity of minium (Pb3O4), a semiconductor pigment that gives rise to strong discoloration phenomena upon exposure to various environmental conditions. For demonstrating its photoactivity, an electrochemical setup with a minium-modified graphite electrode (C|Pb3O4) was used. It is confirmed that minium is a p-type semiconductor that is photoactive during illumination and becomes inactive in the dark. Raman measurements confirm the formation of degradation products. The photoactivity of a semiconductor pigment is partly defined by the presence of lead oxide (PbO) impurities; these introduce new states in the original band gap. It will be experimentally evidenced that the presence of PbO particles in minium leads to an upward shift of the valence band that reduces the band gap. Thus, upon photoexcitation, the electron/hole separation is more easily initialized. The PbO/Pb3O4 composite electrodes demonstrate a higher reductive photocurrent compared to the photocurrent registered at pure PbO or Pb3O4-modified electrodes. Upon exposure to light with energy close to and above the band gap, electrons are excited from the valence band to the conduction band to initialize the reduction of Pb(IV) to Pb(II), resulting in the initial formation of PbO. However, in the presence of bicarbonate ions, a significantly higher photoreduction current is recorded because the PbO reacts further to form hydrocerussite. Therefore, the presence of bicarbonates in the environment stimulates the photodecomposition process of minium and plays an important role in the degradation process.