title: Early use of PbS nanotechnology for an ancient hair dyeing formula.
abstract: Lead-based chemistry was initiated in ancient Egypt for cosmetic preparation more than 4000 years ago. Here, we study a hair-dyeing recipe using lead salts described in text since Greco-Roman times. We report direct evidence about the shape and distribution of PbS nanocrystals that form within the hair during blackening. It is remarkable that the composition and supramolecular organization of keratins can control PbS nanocrystal growth inside a hair.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France CNRS UMR171,14 quai François Mitterrand, 75001 Paris, France. philippe.walter@culture.gouv.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Eléonore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Welcomme
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hallégot
authors.forename: Nestor J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Zaluzec
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deeb
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Castaing
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veyssière
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bréniaux
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lévêque
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tsoucaris
mesh_terms: D001106:Archaeology / Q000379:methods; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004534:Egypt; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006202:Hair Dyes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry*; D007854:Lead / Q000737:chemistry*; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006202:Hair Dyes; D013440:Sulfides; C018391:lead sulfide; D007854:Lead; D007633:Keratins