Schools, event spaces, and cultural heritage institutions increasingly utilize commercial air purifiers to combat malodors, pollutants, and viruses such as COVID-19. One of the newer classes of air purifiers utilizes radical species to chemically attack VOCs and inactivate viruses. However, little research has been conducted to investigate how cultural heritage materials may be collaterally impacted. In this work, dyes, pigments, plastics, and other materials commonly found in museum collections were exposed to a commercial hydroxyl radical air purifier at a low exposure and high exposure for 12 weeks in a polycarbonate chamber. The artists’ materials were analyzed before and after exposure via colorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Indigo, curcumin, alizarin crimson, and black Sharpie ink showed drastic visual changes while other materials showed more modest color alteration. Oil paints and acrylic paints showed little to no change upon low exposure. Infrared spectroscopy revealed that the polymers polystyrene and natural latex rubber were oxidized based on the appearance of a carbonyl peak following exposure. Although some undesirable changes were identified under this amplified test environment, realistic exposure tests are ongoing to assess the impact of hydroxyl radical air purifiers on sensitive materials under “as used” conditions and to test mitigation strategies such as protective varnishes and glazed framing.

Impact of hydroxyl radical air purifiers on artists' materials

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.