Academic thesis

Nathaly Witt: Treatment of Soot-Damaged Surfaces with Gellan Gum and Its Modification Possibilities back

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Overview:  
 
Application and post-cleaning. Source: Witt, 2023
   

Results of case study 1st run. Source: Witt, 2023
Abstract: The treatment of soot-damaged surfaces is a challenging task in the conservation and restoration of artworks due to the properties of soot. This thesis investigates the effectiveness of the polysaccharide gel ´gellan gum´ and its modifications as a cleaning method for such objects. This is done by first examining the history, causes and chemical characteristics of soot damage and analyzing the challenges it poses for conservators. Based on this information, multiple samples are coated with a soot layer to closely emulate naturally occurring soot damage. To emulate real-world scenarios, multiple samples, including unaged easel paintings with white gesso and varnished surfaces, along with an aged wooden panel coated with oil-based lacquer, are subjected to soot deposition. Additionally, the study extends to a case-study approach, examining the treatment´s applicability on actual soot-damaged artifacts, thus enriching the practical implications of the research. Various gellan gum gels, some of which have been modified with complexing agents and surfactants, are then applied to the different surfaces in varying concentrations and exposure times. Subsequently, analytical methods such as spectrophotometry are used to determine the effectiveness of the procedure. The results indicate that none of the gels tested are universally effective for various types of soot damage, which warrants further research into specific cleaning methods for soot compositions and aging stages of soot layers.

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Keywords: Fire, soot, gellan gum, gel, sooting, aqueous treatment, gel treatment, burnt, soot deposit, soot damage, blackening, cleaning, aqueous, complexing agent, surfactant, ph
 
Results of case study 2nd run. Source: Witt, 2023
 
Results of case study 2nd run, evaluation of gel and cotton swabs. Source: Witt, 2023
Details:
  • academic institution: HAWK Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen
  • kind of theses:  Masterarbeit
  • main Tutor:  Dipl.-Rest. Renate Kühnen
  • assistant Tutor:  Prof. Dr. Julia Antonieta Schultz
  • date:  2023
  • Language:  German
  • pages:  310
  • pictures:  127
 
Contact:
 
Nathaly Witt
witt.nathaly@[Diesen Teil loeschen]gmail.com
https://www.restaurierungskollektiv.de/
 
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full-text thesis  academic theses in german
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Creative Commons Lizenzvertrag This work is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 Germany License.
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) 10.5165/hawk/537

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