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Photochemistry of Artists’ Dyes and Pigments: Towards Better Understanding and Prevention of Colour Change in Works of Art
Author(s) -
Miliani Costanza,
Monico Letizia,
Melo Maria J.,
Fantacci Simona,
Angelin Eva M.,
Romani Aldo,
Janssens Koen
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201802801
Subject(s) - photodegradation , degradation (telecommunications) , computer science , biochemical engineering , blanching , chemistry , photochemistry , materials science , telecommunications , photocatalysis , organic chemistry , engineering , catalysis , food science
The absorption of light gives a pigment its colour and its reason for being, but it also creates excited states, that is, new molecules with an energy excess that can be dissipated through degradation pathways. Photodegradation processes provoke long‐term, cumulative and irreversible colour changes (fading, darkening, blanching) of which the prediction and prevention are challenging tasks. Of all the environmental risks that affect heritage materials, light exposure is the only one that cannot be controlled without any impact on the optimal display of the exhibit. Light‐induced alterations are not only associated with the pigment itself but also with its interactions with support/binder and, in turn, are further complicated by the nature of the environmental conditions. In this Minireview we investigate how chemistry, encompassing multi‐scale analytical investigations of works of art, computational modelling and physical and chemical studies contributes to improve our prediction of artwork appearance before degradation and to establish effective preventive conservation strategies.