Analytical and microbiological characterization of 20th century photographic negatives

Coelho, Cátia; Relvas, Cátia; Costa, Sónia; Caldeira, Ana Teresa; Ferreira, Teresa

Analytical and microbiological characterization of 20th century photographic negatives

Files

Manuscript_Ferreira_2.pdf (9.25 MB)

Date

2014

Authors

Publisher

CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract

Two cellulose acetate photographic negatives were studied. Photography under transmitted, raking and UV illuminations in conjunction with optical microscopy, VP-SEM-EDS, ATR-FT-IR, Py-GC-MS and EDXRF were used for analytical characterization. Microbiological studies revealed the presence of three bacteria strains colonizing the negatives. Samples present a degraded status, exhibiting channels and bubbles. Triphenyl phosphate was the plasticizer used in the manufacturing process of both negatives. Cross section of one of the samples allowed to distinguish the different layers that compose the negative. Contaminants related to the manufacturing process were discussed.

Keywords

acetate negatives, photographic items, biodeterioration, analytical characterization, VP-SEM/EDS, ATR-FT-IR, XRF

Citation

Cátia Coelho, Cátia Relvas, Sónia Costa, Ana Teresa Caldeira, Teresa Ferreira, Analytical and Microbiological Characterization of 20th Century Photographic Negatives, in book: Science, Technology and Cultural Heritage, edited by Miguel Angel Rogerio-Candelera, CRC Press 2014 (Taylor & Francis Group), pp 235-242. Print ISBN: 978-1-138-02744-2, eBook ISBN: 978-1-315-71242-0.