The colour of silver stained glass—analytical investigations carried out with XRF, SEM/EDX, TEM, and IBA

D. Jembrih-Simbürger; C. Neelmeijer; O. Schalm; P. Fredrickx; M. Schreiner; K. De Vis; M. Mäder; D. Schryvers; J. Caen

doi:10.1039/B111024C

D. Jembrih-Simbürger,*^ab C. Neelmeijer,^c O. Schalm,^d P. Fredrickx,^e M. Schreiner,^ab K. De Vis,^f M. Mäder,^c D. Schryvers^e and J. Caen^f

Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

^a Institute of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies in Art, Academy of Fine Arts, Schillerplatz 3, Vienna, Austria
E-mail: dubravka.jembrih@fch.akbild.ac.at
Fax: +43 1 58 816 121
Tel: +43 1 58 816 203

^b Institute for Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/164, Vienna, Austria

^c Research Centre Rossendorf Inc., P.O.B. 510119, Dresden, Germany

^d University of Antwerp, Department of Chemistry, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerp-Wilrijk, Belgium

^e University of Antwerp—RUCA, EMAT, Groenenborgerlaan 171, Antwerp, Belgium

^f Polytechnic University of Antwerp, Department Conservation/Restoration Glass, Mutsaardstraat 31, Antwerp, Belgium

Abstract

Glass treated on its surface with silver compounds and an aluminosilicate, such as ochre or clay, at higher temperatures (between 550 and 650 °C) accepts a wide variety of a yellow colour. It is the aim of this study to investigate the parameters of the manufacturing process affecting the final colour of silver stained glass and to correlate them with the final colour and colour intensity. Therefore, defined mixtures of ochre and a silver compound (AgCl, AgNO₃, Ag₂SO₄, Ag₃PO₄, Ag₂O) were prepared and applied on soda-lime glass. The firing process was modified within the range from 563 to 630 °C and glass samples were analysed after treatment with energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDXRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as ion beam analysis (IBA) with an external beam. Within the scope of IBA simultaneous measurements using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE), and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) were carried out in order to obtain the thickness of the Ag-rich surface layer and the depth distribution of Ag. By means of TEM the microstructure of the silver particles was visualised. XRF results show that the lowest amount of Ag could be detected on glass samples treated with silver stain mixtures containing AgCl and Ag₂O. A low kiln temperature (e.g. 563 °C) results in a higher silver concentration at the surface and lower penetration depths. Furthermore, the results obtained with SEM/EDX at cross-sections of the glass samples could be confirmed by PIXE, PIGE, RBS, and TEM.

Article information

https://doi.org/10.1039/B111024C

Article type

Paper

Submitted

03 Dec 2001

Accepted

14 Feb 2002

First published

08 Mar 2002

Download Citation

J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2002,17, 321-328

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