Synthesizing lead white pigments by lead corrosion: New insights into the ancient manufacturing processes

[Display omitted] •First in-depth investigation of lead white synthesis by traditional corrosion process.•Detailed reaction chains and stratification of corrosion products.•Compared analysis of mock-ups and ancient pigments.•Explanation of composition of pigments in classical paintings. Traditional...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Corrosion science Vol. 146; no. Janvier 2019; pp. 10 - 17
Main Authors: Gonzalez, Victor, Wallez, Gilles, Calligaro, Thomas, Gourier, Didier, Menu, Michel
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2019
Elsevier BV
Elsevier
Subjects:
A. Lead white
Acetic acid
B. X-ray diffraction
C. Carbonation
C. Cultural heritage materials
C. Pigment
Carbon
Carbon dioxide
Chemical Sciences
Corrosion
Corrosion products
Cultural heritage
Diffraction
Earth Sciences
Lead
Material chemistry
Mineralogy
Pigments
Sciences of the Universe
Stratification
Synthesis
Water vapor
B. X-ray diffraction
C. Cultural heritage materials
A. Lead white
C. Carbonation
C. Pigment
ISSN:0010-938X, 1879-0496
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:[Display omitted] •First in-depth investigation of lead white synthesis by traditional corrosion process.•Detailed reaction chains and stratification of corrosion products.•Compared analysis of mock-ups and ancient pigments.•Explanation of composition of pigments in classical paintings. Traditional “stack “manufacturing process (16–19th c.) of lead white pigment by lead corrosion is explored by exposing metal to acetic acid, carbon dioxide, dioxygen and water vapor. Global reaction scheme is revealed, along with stratification of corrosion products with CO2 gradient, leading to flakiness of corrosion layer. Kinetic and epitaxial features rule the polyphased structure, explaining hydrocerussite-rich compositions and absence of plumbonacrite in classical easel paintings. Microstructure of cerussite appears as a differentiation criterion between stack-made and industrial precipitation-synthesized lead whites. Particular conditions reported in ancient writings are tested and discussed to understand unusual processes.
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ISSN:0010-938X
1879-0496
DOI:10.1016/j.corsci.2018.10.033