Cu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald green
Abstract The discoloration of pigments caused by deterioration may significantly alter an artifact's original pattern and design, which could have an impact on its intended meaning. The green pigments containing copper (Cu) and arsenate (As) in paintings are usually recognized as Emerald green...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Heritage Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-022-00834-y |
| _version_ | 1797952425716350976 |
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| author | Ling Shen Chenya Wang Jiachen Zhang Biao Cui Suimin Zhu Jianqiang Mao |
| author_facet | Ling Shen Chenya Wang Jiachen Zhang Biao Cui Suimin Zhu Jianqiang Mao |
| author_sort | Ling Shen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The discoloration of pigments caused by deterioration may significantly alter an artifact's original pattern and design, which could have an impact on its intended meaning. The green pigments containing copper (Cu) and arsenate (As) in paintings are usually recognized as Emerald green or Scheele’s green and are also infrequently reported as cornwallite and lavendulan. Recent studies point out that lavendulan may be the degradation product of Emerald green but not a natural mineral. Overall, there are still relatively few cases of current studies on green pigment with Cu and As. The elemental composition and molecular structure of green minerals containing Cu and As are similar, so it is difficult to identify by Raman spectroscopy. The green pigment samples used in this investigation were taken from architectural paintings in the Wenchang palace and traditional Ziweishan dwellings. The composition of the paint samples was investigated comprehensively by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope observation, micro-X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) analysis. From the results of elemental distribution, the pigments mainly contain Cu, As, and Cl. The morphological results illustrated that the particles in these three pigments are rounded and granular, indicating the synthetic pigment is possibly emerald green. The characteristic vibrational peaks of the As–O, Cu–O and Cu–Cl bond were detected by Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy found the presence of oxalate salt. The XPS and XANES analysis results show that As valence is + 5. This study found that the green pigment samples are a degradation product of emerald green. The formation of this product is related to the preservation environment. The results of this work will provide information to understand the degradation processes of emerald green and be a reference for the identification of pigments containing Cu and As elements. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T22:46:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8d3f56d622024aa08e759bcf3ca7f736 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-7445 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T22:46:07Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-8d3f56d622024aa08e759bcf3ca7f7362023-01-15T12:18:09ZengSpringerOpenHeritage Science2050-74452023-01-0111111410.1186/s40494-022-00834-yCu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald greenLing Shen0Chenya Wang1Jiachen Zhang2Biao Cui3Suimin Zhu4Jianqiang Mao5Archaeology Department, Hangzhou City UniversityHangzhou Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics and ArchaeologyZhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and ArchaeologyZhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and ArchaeologyZhejiang Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and ArchaeologyJiangshan Culture Radio Film and TV Tourism AdministrationAbstract The discoloration of pigments caused by deterioration may significantly alter an artifact's original pattern and design, which could have an impact on its intended meaning. The green pigments containing copper (Cu) and arsenate (As) in paintings are usually recognized as Emerald green or Scheele’s green and are also infrequently reported as cornwallite and lavendulan. Recent studies point out that lavendulan may be the degradation product of Emerald green but not a natural mineral. Overall, there are still relatively few cases of current studies on green pigment with Cu and As. The elemental composition and molecular structure of green minerals containing Cu and As are similar, so it is difficult to identify by Raman spectroscopy. The green pigment samples used in this investigation were taken from architectural paintings in the Wenchang palace and traditional Ziweishan dwellings. The composition of the paint samples was investigated comprehensively by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope observation, micro-X-ray diffraction (μ-XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) analysis. From the results of elemental distribution, the pigments mainly contain Cu, As, and Cl. The morphological results illustrated that the particles in these three pigments are rounded and granular, indicating the synthetic pigment is possibly emerald green. The characteristic vibrational peaks of the As–O, Cu–O and Cu–Cl bond were detected by Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy found the presence of oxalate salt. The XPS and XANES analysis results show that As valence is + 5. This study found that the green pigment samples are a degradation product of emerald green. The formation of this product is related to the preservation environment. The results of this work will provide information to understand the degradation processes of emerald green and be a reference for the identification of pigments containing Cu and As elements.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-022-00834-yArchitecture Painting in Zhejiang ProvincePigmentEmerald greenDegradation |
| spellingShingle | Ling Shen Chenya Wang Jiachen Zhang Biao Cui Suimin Zhu Jianqiang Mao Cu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald green Heritage Science Architecture Painting in Zhejiang Province Pigment Emerald green Degradation |
| title | Cu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald green |
| title_full | Cu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald green |
| title_fullStr | Cu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald green |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald green |
| title_short | Cu and As containing pigments in Zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings: a case study of degradation products of emerald green |
| title_sort | cu and as containing pigments in zhejiang architecture polychrome paintings a case study of degradation products of emerald green |
| topic | Architecture Painting in Zhejiang Province Pigment Emerald green Degradation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-022-00834-y |
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