A double EIS study: Early corrosion diagnosis and testing of a new waste-polystyrene-based coating against the bronze disease
Year: 2026
Authors: Porcu D., Molina M.T., Fontana R., Bandelli D., Barat B.R., Cano E., Carretti E.
Autors Affiliation: CNR, Natl Inst Opt CNR INO, I-50125 Florence, Italy; CSIC, Inst Geosci IGEO, Madrid 28040, Spain; Univ Complutense Madrid, Madrid 28040, Spain; Spanish Natl Res Council CENIM CSIC, Natl Ctr Met Res CENIM, Madrid 28040, Spain; Univ Florence, Dept Chem Ugo Schiff, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy; Univ Florence, CSGI Consortium, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, FI, Italy.
Abstract: In the conservation of Cultural Heritage, bronze disease – an aggressive and destructive form of copper alloy corrosion induced by chlorides – remains a major challenge, as it is often detected only at an advanced stage, when intervention becomes difficult. This study employed potentiostatic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurements on two sets of bronze samples to assess the feasibility of early detection of bronze disease (which is invisible to the naked eye and undetectable with most portable instruments) and to evaluate a novel coating based on upcycled polystyrene (PS-MA). Since bronze artworks often require in situ characterization, and given the delicate nature of their surfaces, minimizing contact between the bronze and electrolyte during EIS measurements is essential. To simulate outdoor conditions, coated bronze mockups were analyzed using a gel polymer electrolyte (G-PE). EIS analysis yielded valuable insights into the electrochemical behavior of the system and assessed the protective efficacy of the synthesized coatings. Additionally, Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) was employed to examine coating adhesion and thickness on the bronze surface.
Journal/Review: SURFACES AND INTERFACES
Volume: 80 Pages from: 108316-1 to: 108316-14
More Information: This research was funded by PE_00000020-CHANGES: Cultural Heritage Active Innovation for Sustainable Society project, PIANO NAZIONALE DI RIPRESA E RESILIENZA (PNRR) -MISSIONE 4 COM-PONENTE 2, INVESTIMENTO 1.3-CUP D53C22002560006, funded by Next Generation EU. It also has had the support of grant JDC2023-050690-I, funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the FSE+. The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Cristina Chiavari and Dr. Elena Bernardi for kindly sharing the detailed recipe for the artificial rain preparation described in [59] .KeyWords: EIS; Bronze disease; Coating; Artificial corrosion; Cultural heritageDOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2025.108316
