Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces’ and argon DBD plasma: potential eco-friendly cleaners for fire-damaged silver gelatin prints

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims at examining the potentiality of using Hibiscus sabdariffa L. calyces’ (Hs) aqueous extract to remove soot stains from the surface of fire-damaged silver gelatin prints. It further studies the cleaning efficiency and impact of both a contact method and a noncontact method with argon dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBD Ar. plasma) on the different properties of silver gelatin prints. Accordingly, it prompts using economic, eco-friendly materials and methods in the photograph conservation field. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the aims of this paper, four silver gelatin prints were stained with soot and treated with the (Hs) aqueous extract as a contact method and DBD Ar. plasma combined with the aqueous extract as a noncontact method. The assessment was carried out using digital microscopy, atomic force microscopy and spectrophotometer to study the efficiency of the tested treatments and their impact on the surface of the photographs. FTIR was used to monitor the state of the binder after cleaning. Furthermore, the pH and the mechanical properties were measured. Findings The contact method resulted in lower concentrations of (Hs) extract that efficiently cleaned the surface without causing any stains or damage to the treated photographs. The noncontact method (plasma with an aqueous extract) proved to be less effective in cleaning and made the binder more susceptible to deterioration. Originality/value This paper reveals the success of (Hs) aqueous extract in cleaning soot on vulnerable photographs’ surfaces.

Towards a novel strategy for soot removal from water-soluble materials: the synergetic effect of hydrogels and cyclomethicone on gelatine emulsion-based photographs

“…Despite the close interconnection between paper and photography conservation, the use of gels in this last field remains limited to date. Some research on cleaning photographic prints has been done, but more systematic research on silver gelatine prints is still needed [13,16,17].…”

Application of Pecvd in the Conservation of Metallic Cultural Heritage: A Review

“…This did not cause any major physical or chemical changes on the surface that had been treated with plasma. Alatter, et al, [32] demonstrated that DBD Ar. plasma, a non-contact approach, when mixed with the aqueous extract, cleaned the surface of historical images without leaving stains or causing damage.…”