Study of five chloride-containing corrosion products from copper and bronze artifacts using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy
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(National Museum of China, Beijing 100006, China)

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    Abstract:

    Raman spectroscopy is a very powerful tool for identifying the corrosion products of copper alloys. In our study, the Raman spectra of five chloride-containing corrosion products (atacamite, clinoatacamite, botallackite, sampleite and connellite) from ancient bronze and copper objects were obtained, and the morphology of corrosion products was observed with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the Raman spectra of atacamite, clinoatacamite and botallackite (they are isomeric substances) are different. Atacamite and clinoatacamite are more commonly-seen and often mixed together.Scanning electron microscopy reveals that atacamite is mainly granular morphologically, although grape-like, crustacean-like and stalactitic ones have also been found. Botallackite is very rare because of its instability, and is generally mixed with the other two. Currently it has only been observed in the shape of plates. Sampleite corrosion products are thick, loose and soft, often found on bronze objects in arid areas or from tombs with animal or human remains. The SEM photomicrograph shows a form of closed buds with multiple petal-like crystal components. Connellite is even rarer and has only been detected on two objects. The reasons for the formation of five corrosion products are also discussed in this paper.

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History
  • Received:November 29,2017
  • Revised:January 18,2018
  • Adopted:
  • Online: September 07,2018
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