Modelling clay materials used in artworks: an infrared spectroscopic investigation

Abstract

Modelling clays are utilised by artists for their malleable properties. One of the challenges in managing collections containing such materials is the variety of commercial compositions available and, therefore, the variation in the requirements for storage and maintenance of such artefacts. The Art Gallery of New South Wales in Australia is responsible for the care of a range of artworks that contain modelling materials, some of which show detrimental property changes and there is concern for the longevity of such works. The aim of the current research is to determine the compositions of the modelling materials utilised in works produced by different artists in the gallery's collection. Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the main constituents of samples collected from the works of four different artists and a variety of material types were determined. Oil-based, air-hardening and polymer clays of varying composition were identified in the survey of artworks. Signs of deterioration in particular artworks were able to be characterised using spectroscopy, with the mechanisms identified including loss and oxidation of the oil component. Where a polymer clay was chosen by one artist, the distortion of the artwork was due to flow of the material over time and demonstrates the need for an understanding of the long term properties of the materials being used. The study has highlighted the need for conservators to have a detailed understanding of modelling materials to ensure the longevity of artworks containing this class of materials.

Characterization of Spanish River Carbonatite (SRC) for agricultural fertilizer

“…3. The bands at 712, 875, 1396-1438, 1798 and 2512 cm −1 are associated with the bending and asymmetric/symmetric stretching vibration of C-O and C=O bonds of CaCO 3 [10,11]. The bands at 463, 646 and 1013 cm −1 can be attributed to Si-O-Si bending vibration, O-Si-O bending vibration and asymmetric stretching vibrations of Si-O of vermiculite, respectively [12,13].…”

“…The bands at 463, 646 and 1013 cm −1 can be attributed to Si-O-Si bending vibration, O-Si-O bending vibration and asymmetric stretching vibrations of Si-O of vermiculite, respectively [12,13]. vermiculite has not been detected by XRD above since its main reflection appears at 2θ lower than 10° [11]. The shoulders at 780 and 1079 cm −1 are associated with Si-O stretching vibration for quartz detected in the XRD [14,15].…”

Remote Temperature-Responsive Parafilm Dermal Patch for On-Demand Topical Drug Delivery

“…The surface-coated ICG dye (as a model drug) and lidocaine on PP film were evaluated using FT-IR (ATR mode) spectroscopy analysis ( Figure 1 a). The bands at 717 and 728 cm −1 were contributed by parafilm C–H rocking, whereas those at 1367 and 1378 cm −1 represented parafilm C–H bending, and those at 2847, 2874, 2916, and 2950 cm −1 represented parafilm C–H stretching [ 19 ]. On the other hand, the characteristic peaks at 1400–1500 cm −1 and 900–1100 cm −1 of ICG were attributed to C=C stretching and vinyl stretching, respectively [ 7 ].…”

Thermal Preparation and Application of a Novel Silicon Fertilizer Using Talc and Calcium Carbonate as Starting Materials

“…Figure 3 a1–f present the FTIR spectra of the CaCO 3 , talc powder and prepared Si fertilizers. The bands at 712, 877, 1430, 1800 and 2510 cm −1 can be attributed to the bending and asymmetric/symmetric stretching vibrations of C−O and C=O bonds of CaCO 3 [ 30 , 31 ] ( Figure 3 a1). The band at 460, 617 and 671 cm −1 is associated with the Si−O−Si bending vibration [ 24 , 32 ], O−Si−O bending vibration and Si−O−Mg symmetric stretching vibration [ 12 , 24 ] of pure talc, respectively ( Figure 3 a2).…”