Evaluating the impact of different exogenous factors on silk textiles deterioration with use of size exclusion chromatography

• Published in: Applied physics. A, Materials science & processing Vol. 122; no. 6; pp. 1 - 10
• Main Authors: Pawcenis, Dominika, Smoleń, Mariusz, Aksamit-Koperska, Monika A., Łojewski, Tomasz, Łojewska, Joanna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Degradation; Detectors; Deterioration; Light scattering; Machines; Manufacturing; Mathematical analysis; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Processes; Silk; Size exclusion chromatography; Surfaces and Interfaces; Sustainable solutions for restoration and conservation of cultural heritage; Textiles; Thin Films; VOCs; Silk Fibroin; Size Exclusion Chromatography; Silk Fibre
• ISSN: 0947-8396; 1432-0630
• DOI: 10.1007/s00339-016-0052-5

Size exclusion chromatography (SEC), especially coupled with multiple angle laser light scattering detector (MALLS) is a powerful tool in diagnostics of deterioration of historic and art objects to evaluate their condition. In this paper, SEC–UV–MALLS–DRI technique was applied to study degradation of silk fibroin samples ( Bombyx mori ) artificially aged under various conditions: in the presence of oxygen, in different amount of water vapour and in volatile organic products (VOCs), all at temperature of 90 °C. Conditions were chosen in such a way that it mimicked real conditions of textiles’ storing during exhibitions and in show cases. The influence of temperature, moisture and VOCs content on the state of silk textiles was examined with the use of size exclusion chromatography. Pseudo-zero-order Ekenstam equation was applied to study degradation rates of fibroin with use of the approximated values of DP of fibroin.