An Experimental Gel-Based Treatment of Iron Gall Ink Corrosion Halos: Sodium Metabisulfite and Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid Solution in Agarose Gel
Loading...
Authors
Conlin, Kelly
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Iron gall ink , Sodium Metabisulfite , Corrosion Halos , Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid , Gel-Based Treatment , Agarose Gel , Paper Conservation
Alternative Title
Abstract
A research project was carried out at Queen’s University to determine the effectiveness of an agarose gel-based treatment of iron gall ink corrosion halos using reducing agent sodium metabisulfite and chelating agent diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid. The ink fabricated for this experiment contained the metal ions of iron, copper, and zinc to increase the amount of visible corrosion, as well as replicate historic inks that have metals other than iron in them. The experimental treatment accounts for the chelation of the copper and zinc ions from the paper substrate along with iron, which cannot currently be done using the widely accepted calcium phytate treatment, as phytate is iron selective.
The effectiveness of this experimental treatment was primarily determined using qualitative methods of analysis. Photographic documentation, ultraviolet fluorescence, and optical microscopy showed visual effects of the treatment from color change in the ink, to a reduction in corrosion-induced fluorescence, and ink bleeds where the cyclododecane fixative failed. Scanning election microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis were the techniques that made clear the distribution of elements in the ink and from the treatment on the paper samples. However, the concentrations of metals in the substrate were too low to detect evidence of corrosion halos via these analytical methods. Color spectrophotometry and pH measurements of the sample swatches yielded results that support observations made with the aforementioned techniques and determined the treatment safe for the paper substrate, respectively. Unfortunately, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, the main technique that could have confirmed the success of the treatment, did not yield results because of unknown error. Though no definite conclusions could be drawn on the effectiveness of the treatment, suggestions for future research and potential treatment procedures can be considered based on the results from the qualitative analyses.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
CC0 1.0 Universal
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.