Grayburn, Rosie (2015) Spectroelectrochemical techniques for the conservation of metallic artefacts. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

The research presented in this thesis uses laboratory and synchrotron based structural techniques in combination with electrochemistry to test the durability of selected conservation methods. A new piece of portable spectroelectrochemical equipment (the peCell) is also described: the peCell was designed for the long-term monitoring of conservation treatments. Lead carboxylates were selected as the focal point of this research due to the interest in studying their deposition from ethanolic solution and the effectiveness of this type of coating on lead. Therefore the spectroscopic analysis, electrochemical testing in an electrolyte modelling atmospheric corrosion, short-term and longterm volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure, and museum testing of this inhibitor demonstrates an entire package of tests which might be used as a benchmark for testing conservation treatments prior to use on artefacts. In addition the contrasting effects of lead carboxylates in oil paintings and as conservation coatings are discussed.

Alongside laboratory spectroelectrochemical data, the corrosion by oak VOCs of a conserved lead sample was studied, (a) using a state-of-the-art in situ timelapse technique on a synchrotron and (b) within a museum environment. Surface analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to compare the growth of crystalline surface corrosion products over time: the extent of corrosion can be related to the effectiveness of the various conservation techniques.

The peCell is a portable electrochemical or environmental cell which was invented in order to provide a way of tracking the chemical changes occurring in a conserved sample in situ over a long period of time. The cell is capable of holding three samples which can be monitored continuously using open circuit potential and sporadically (i.e. whenever a synchrotron beam line is accessible) using SR-XRD. Other environmental parameters within the cell can also be monitored, such as temperature. The prototype cell was successfully trialled at the XMaS beamline, ESRF using an alternative copper corrosion system.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Electrochemical analysis, Antiquities -- Collection and preservation
Official Date:	May 2015
Dates:	Date Event May 2015 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Physics
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Dowsett, M. G. ; Adriaens, A. (Annemie)
Sponsors:	University of Warwick. Department of Physics ; Rijksuniversiteit te Gent
Extent:	xviii, 204 leaves ; illustrations (colour), charts
Language:	eng

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