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Nanoconfined Water Clusters in Zinc White Oil Paint
Jorien R Duivenvoorden1,2, Federico Caporaletti3, Sander Woutersen1
1Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
Water in zinc white oil paint forms liquid-like clusters near pigment-polymer interfaces. Understanding this water distribution is key for preserving oil paintings from degradation.
Area of Science:
- Art conservation science
- Materials science
- Chemistry
Background:
- Oil paints degrade due to water interacting with the oil polymer network.
- Understanding water behavior in paint is crucial for conservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate water distribution within zinc white oil paint.
- To identify factors influencing water clustering in oil paint systems.
Main Methods:
- Cryo-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (cryo-FTIR)
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
- Analysis of water freezing and melting transitions
Main Results:
- Water-saturated zinc white oil paint contains both clustered and nonclustered water.
- Water clustering occurs at the pigment-polymer interface, particularly in zinc white paint.
- Estimated cluster size is in the nanometer range.
Conclusions:
- Liquid-like water clusters can form in oil paint, influenced by pigment-polymer interactions.
- This clustered water may facilitate ion and molecule transport, impacting paint degradation.
- Findings are essential for developing conservation strategies for oil paintings.
