title: Iron stains on paper. Can electrophoretic removal become an effective alternative to chemical cleaning?
abstract: Research in restoration and conservation is directed vs. more sustainable working materials, methods and technologies. Electrophoretic removal, from porous material, of undesired stains due to charged species is theoretically an interesting alternative to chemical cleaning methods, but the lack of specific and comprehensive research work leads to controversial opinions about the efficiency and the needed harmfulness for the treated objects. In this work paper, samples with artificial rust stains were subjected to electrophoretic cleaning treatments in mineral water as electrolyte. Treatments were carried out either in a bath by complete sample immersion between the distanced electrodes or by sample wetting and sandwiching between the electrodes. Evaluation of cleaning efficiency and treatment effects was based on colour change measurements (image analysis of scanned paper samples before and after the treatment and by colorimetric data via spectrophotometric measurements), investigation of morphological changes by SEM observations and folding endurance measurements.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dell'Aglio
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Susanne Heidi
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Plattner
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Pia
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sammartino
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Visco
authors.affiliation: a Department of Chemistry , Sapienza University of Rome , Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Campanella
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D003124:Colorimetry; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D020100:Hydrogels; D007501:Iron / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010209:Paper; D016062:Porosity; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D020100:Hydrogels; D007501:Iron
keywords: Electrophoresis; cultural heritage; green chemistry; iron stains; paper; restoration