Synergistic Effect of potassium iodide and sodium (Z)-4-oxo-4-p-tolyl-2-butenoate on the Characterization, Treatment, and Protection of Two Bronze Objects from Thamar Museum, Yemen

Abstract

Objects from the Thamar regional museum in Yemen were used in the investigation. In addition to a thick layer of light-green/brown corrosion result, they also had a rust-colored black and brown layer with tiny pieces and a scattering of pale green. Corrosion and its products will be examined in-depth in this study, which will assist us in better understanding the corrosive causes and degradation processes, as well as to identify the metals that comprise the chosen objects produced during long-term entombment. Both items' samples were investigated using Metallographic Microscope (ME) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for this purpose, while corrosion products were evaluated by using x-ray diffraction (XRD), while the bulk elements of the objects were determined using x-ray fluorescence (XRF). Copper, atacamite, and paratacamite have been identified by XRD analysis as the corrosion products of the leaded bronze alloy. Microscopy shows that the two items have been damaged in certain areas. Chemical cleaning was selected for the treatment of the artifacts based on the information gathered. To investigate the synergistic impact of adding 25 ppm of potassium iodide (KI) to the stock solution of the corrosion inhibitor sodium (Z)-4-oxo-4-p-tolyl-2-butenoate, in this work, the effect of potassium iodide as an improvement chemical was examined (SOTB). For the preservation of old leaded bronze items, this combination has been tested. Synergistic effects between KI and the chosen inhibitor were shown to be beneficial.