A quick assessment of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 pigments: From lab to conservation studio!

Titanium dioxide is the most abundantly used white pigment of the 20th century. The pigment is still in use, both in the production of contemporary art and for the conservation of older artwork as a retouching pigment. Unfortunately, next to its positive characteristics, the pigment has one major potential drawback: its photocatalytic activity...

Determination of early warning signs for photocatalytic degradation of titanium white oil paints by means of surface analysis

Titanium white (TiO₂) has been widely used as a pigment in the 20th century. However, its most photocatalytic form (anatase) can cause severe degradation of the oil paint in which it is contained. UV light initiates TiO₂-photocatalyzed processes in the paint film, degrading the oil binder into volatile components...

Investigating the effect of artists’ paint formulation on degradation rates of TiO₂‑based oil paints

This study reports on the effect of artists’ paint formulation on degradation rates of TiO2-based oil paints. Titanium white oil paint exists in a multitude of different recipes, and the effect of the formulation on photocatalytic binder<br/>degradation kinetics is unknown. These formulations contain, among others, one or both titanium dioxide...