Chemical Aspects of Degradation of Historical Documents with Iron Gall Inks

Authors

  • L. Gál Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • M. Ciglanská Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • M. Čeppan Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • B. Havlínová Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • V. Jančovičová Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
  • M. Reháková Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia

Keywords:

iron gall ink, historical documents, oxidation, hydrolysis, catalysis

Abstract

Iron gall inks (also known as iron gall nut ink or oak gall ink), are considered to be one of the most important inks in the history of Western civilization. Transition metals and the acids present in the inks induce degradation of paper, thus seriously damaging many historical artifacts. Properties of historical documents and drawings written with iron gall inks are presented. Composition, chemical properties, degradation mechanisms and stabilization of the inks are discussed.

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Published

2014-03-15

How to Cite

Gál, L., Ciglanská, M., Čeppan, M., Havlínová, B., Jančovičová, V., & Reháková, M. (2014). Chemical Aspects of Degradation of Historical Documents with Iron Gall Inks. Chemické Listy, 108(3), 191–197. Retrieved from http://w.chemicke-listy.cz/ojs3/index.php/chemicke-listy/article/view/533

Issue

Vol. 108 No. 3 (2014)

Section

Articles