Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Domagoj Mudronja, Frederik Vanmeert, Stjepko Fazinic, Koen Janssens, Darko Tibljas, Vladan Desnica
Summary: Stone monuments and buildings are prone to weathering, prompting the proposal of protective coatings inhibiting calcite dissolution on limestone and marble surfaces. Research showed that stones with different porosities developed varying thicknesses of protective layers after treatment with ammonium oxalate.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Elena Possenti, Chiara Colombo, Marco Realini, Cai Li Song, Sergei G. Kazarian
Summary: This study utilized novel applications of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and macro ATR-FTIR spectroscopic imaging to analyze the time-resolved, chemical, and spatial aspects of inorganic treatments for stone conservation occurring in water-based solutions. The research showed that different treatments led to the formation of new crystalline phases, with subsequent post-treatment rinsing affecting the final composition of reaction phases. This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential of using advanced ATR-FTIR spectroscopic approaches to investigate conservation treatments and offers new analytical tools for conservation decision-making in pilot worksites.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
A. Botteon, M. Realini, C. Colombo, C. Conti, P. Matousek, C. Castiglioni
Summary: This study systematically investigates the micro-SORS capability to characterize a system where an agent diffuses into a turbid matrix, with potential applications in heritage science and other fields. The experiments show that the slope of the Raman intensity decay rate ratio can correlate with the penetration depth of the agent, providing a non-destructive analytical tool for monitoring conservation treatments and other applications involving agent penetration.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
M. Carla Aragoni, Laura Giacopetti, Massimiliano Arca, Gianfranco Carcangiu, Stefano Columbu, Domingo Gimeno, Francesco Isaia, Vito Lippolis, Paola Meloni, Antonia Navarro Ezquerra, Enrico Podda, Jordi Rius, Oriol Vallcorba, Anna Pintus
Summary: The study found that the ammonium salt of monoethyloxalate (AmEtOx) can serve as a precursor for protecting carbonate stone substrates, leading to reduced porosity and enhanced cohesion of the treated stone samples. Experimental and theoretical calculations confirmed the formation of microcrystalline phases on the stone surfaces, contributing to the overall preservation of the stone substrates.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Ignazio Allegretta, Stijn Legrand, Matthias Alfeld, Concetta Eliana Gattullo, Carlo Porfido, Matteo Spagnuolo, Koen Janssens, Roberto Terzano
Summary: SEM-EDX combined with microanalysis is a vital tool for analyzing the morphology and chemical characteristics of materials. Full hyperspectral dataset analysis using software like Datamuncher Gamma can successfully identify and segment different phases within soil aggregates, providing valuable information for studying complex matrices such as soil. This method allows for the analysis of various SEM-EDX data cubes and can be applied to different types of samples and research fields.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Arthur Gestels, Geert Van der Snickt, Joost Caen, Gert Nuyts, Stijn Legrand, Frederik Vanmeert, Flore Detry, Koen Janssens, Gunther Steenackers
Summary: This article reports on the conservation-restoration of a 13th century stained-glass window. Through micro- and macro-level analysis, researchers were able to determine the origin and composition of the window, and successfully restore it to its former glory.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marine Cotte, Victor Gonzalez, Frederik Vanmeert, Letizia Monico, Catherine Dejoie, Manfred Burghammer, Loic Huder, Wout de Nolf, Stuart Fisher, Ida Fazlic, Christelle Chauffeton, Gilles Wallez, Nuria Jimenez, Francesc Albert-Tortosa, Nati Salvado, Elena Possenti, Chiara Colombo, Marta Ghirardello, Daniela Comelli, Ermanno Avranovich Clerici, Riccardo Vivani, Aldo Romani, Claudio Costantino, Koen Janssens, Yoko Taniguchi, Joanne McCarthy, Harald Reichert, Jean Susini
Summary: The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility has upgraded its light source, leading to improved beamline performances. To enhance data acquisition speed, new access modes have been developed. One of these modes guarantees beamtime for 10 European institutes, facilitating applications to cultural heritage.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Letizia Monico, Francesca Rosi, Riccardo Vivani, Laura Cartechini, Koen Janssens, Nicolas Gauquelin, Dmitry Chezganov, Johan Verbeeck, Marine Cotte, Francesco D'Acapito, Lucrezia Barni, Chiara Grazia, Luciano Pensabene Buemi, Jean-Louis Andral, Costanza Miliani, Aldo Romani
Summary: This study investigates the photoluminescence properties and (photo)chemical reactivity of cadmium red pigments in oil paintings using a multi-length scale and multi-method approach. The results show that the relative intensity of deep level emissions (DLEs) is influenced by moisture, while the morphology, microstructure, and local atomic environment of the pigment particles have no effect on the DLEs.
EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nouchka De Keyser, Frederique Broers, Frederik Vanmeert, Steven De Meyer, Francesca Gabrieli, Erma Hermens, Geert Van der Snickt, Koen Janssens, Katrien Keune
Summary: This article discusses the visual implication of secondary degradation products in a degraded yellow rose in a still life painting, using a multimodal combination of chemical and optical imaging techniques. The study provides a 3D understanding of the transformation of the original intended appearance of the rose into its current degraded state.
Article
Spectroscopy
Stjepko Fazinic, Iva Bozicevic Mihalic, Matjaz Kavcic, Marko Petric
Summary: X-ray emission induced by 2 MeV protons in various materials was studied using a wavelength dispersive spectrometer. The results showed linear correlations between the energy shifts and oxidation states of the central metal.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART B-ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Victor Gonzalez, Ida Fazlic, Marine Cotte, Frederik Vanmeert, Arthur Gestels, Steven De Meyer, Frederique Broers, Joen Hermans, Annelies van Loon, Koen Janssens, Petria Noble, Katrien Keune
Summary: The Night Watch, painted by Rembrandt in 1642, is his most famous work and is displayed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) mapping revealed the presence of lead(II) formate in the painting, which was not previously reported in historical oil paints. Model oil paint media were prepared and analyzed to investigate the reactivity of lead driers in oil matrices, and lead(II) formate and lead(II) formate hydroxide were detected and mapped, providing new insights into historical paintings.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Michael Hillen, Seppe Sels, Bart Ribbens, Simon Verspeek, Koen Janssens, Geert van der Snickt, Gunther Steenackers
Summary: When studying paintings with active infrared thermography (IRT), lock-in thermography (LIT) showed advantages over pulse thermography (PT) in minimizing temperature fluctuations and providing higher contrast and less noise in phase images. However, PT was better at showing the upper paint layer, which is important for observing subsurface defects or the support structure. The influence of camera spectral range on the results was also investigated, with the addition of a long-pass filter eliminating direct reflection artifacts caused by halogen light sources when using a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ermanno Avranovich Clerici, Steven de Meyer, Frederik Vanmeert, Stijn Legrand, Letizia Monico, Costanza Miliani, Koen Janssens
Summary: This study examines the chromatic alteration of various paint types on mural painting fragments from The Upper Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi in Italy using synchrotron radiation. The fragments are from ceiling paintings attributed to Cimabue and Giotto, with different discoloration in white, blue/green, and brown/yellow/orange areas. X-ray fluorescence and diffraction maps were collected from the fragments, and paint cross-sections were analyzed using microscopic X-ray fluorescence and powder diffraction mapping. The study identified numerous secondary products on the painted surfaces, including copper tri-hydroxychloride, corderoite, calomel, plattnerite, scrutinyite, whewellite, and weddellite.
Editorial Material
Spectroscopy
Koen Janssens
X-RAY SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thomas De Kerf, Arthur Gestels, Koen Janssens, Paul Scheunders, Gunther Steenackers, Steve Vanlanduit
Summary: This study presents a novel method using hyperspectral imaging to detect and quantify atmospheric corrosion products on carbon steel. The results show that the method is able to obtain visually similar images, indicating that hyperspectral imaging could be a viable tool for the study of corrosion minerals.