Revealing the Distribution of Metal Carboxylates in Oil Paint from the Micro‐ to Nanoscale
- Scientific Research Department, Division of Conservation National Gallery of Art 2000B South Club Drive Landover MD 20785 USA
- IPANEMA CNRS ministère de la Culture et de la Communication Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, USR 3461 Université Paris-Saclay 91128 Gif-sur-Yvette France
- Nanoscale Device Characterization Division Physical Measurement Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg MD 20899 USA, Maryland Nanocenter University of Maryland College Park MD 20742 USA
- Nanoscale Device Characterization Division Physical Measurement Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg MD 20899 USA
- Advanced Light Source Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Rd. Berkeley CA 94720 USA
- Department of Chemistry William &, Mary 540 Landrum Drive Williamsburg VA 23188 USA
Abstract Oil paints comprise pigments, drying oils, and additives that together confer desirable properties, but can react to form metal carboxylates (soaps) that may damage artworks over time. To obtain information on soap formation and aggregation, we introduce a new tapping‐mode measurement paradigm for the photothermal induced resonance (PTIR) technique that enables nanoscale IR spectroscopy and imaging on highly heterogenous and rough paint thin sections. PTIR is used in combination with μ‐computed tomography and IR microscopy to determine the distribution of metal carboxylates in a 23‐year old oil paint of known formulation. Results show that heterogeneous agglomerates of Al‐stearate and a Zn‐carboxylate complex with Zn‐stearate nano‐aggregates in proximity are distributed randomly in the paint. The gradients of zinc carboxylates are unrelated to the Al‐stearate distribution. These measurements open a new chemically sensitive nanoscale observation window on the distribution of metal soaps that can bring insights for understanding soap formation in oil paint.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- Grant/Contract Number:
- NONE; AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 1544905
- Journal Information:
- Angewandte Chemie, Journal Name: Angewandte Chemie Journal Issue: 34 Vol. 131; ISSN 0044-8249
- Publisher:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- Germany
- Language:
- English
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