Gamma and electron beam irradiation effects for conservation treatment of cellulose triacetate photographic and cinematographic films

Abstract

Photographic and cinematographic films of cellulose triacetate safeguarded in historical and cultural institutions are often contaminated by fungi when stored in inadequate conditions of humidity and temperature. The presence of fungi affects the image contained in the films, accelerates the process of biodeterioration and represents a risk to the health of people working with contaminated materials. In addition, another common physicochemical degradation affecting cellulose triacetate films causing deacetylation of polymer chain is called “vinegar syndrome”. Considering the dose interval established for the disinfection of cultural heritage materials, in this work the effects of irradiation with gamma rays and electron beam on photographic and cinematographic films of cellulose triacetate were evaluated. Additionally, the thermal stability behavior of the films and the feasibility of crosslinking of CTA films were investigated. Film samples were selected and characterized by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Irradiated samples by gamma rays and electron beam with radiation absorbed doses between 6 kGy and 200 kGy were examined by FEGSEM microscopy, UV–Vis spectrophotometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results showed that disinfection by gamma and electron beam irradiation, in the dose range of 6 kGy–10 kGy, does not change or modification of main properties of the constitutive materials of photographic and cinematographic films. The applied dose of 50 kGy, both gamma rays and electron beam, indicated a crosslinking effect on the films and can be considered a possibility for the treatment of films affected by the “vinegar syndrome”.