Method for removing red mold spots on silk and paper ancient books and paintings

Abstract

This invention belongs to the fields of conservation and restoration of ancient books, paintings, and silk artifacts, as well as the field of textile cleaning technology. It provides a method for removing reddish mold spots from ancient books and paintings on silk and paper. Addressing the problem that existing methods are ineffective in removing stubborn red mold spots and cause strong oxidative damage to silk protein and paper cellulose, this method utilizes the principle of borohydride reaction in organic chemical synthesis. Sodium borohydride solution and dilute acid are repeatedly and alternately dripped onto the surface of silk or paper stained with red mold. This breaks the conjugated double bonds of the red mold pigment molecules into single bonds, disrupting the pigment's electron transport chain and achieving the purpose of lightening and eliminating the red mold color on the artifact. This method can achieve the following effects: lightening red mold spots on Xuan paper or silk to the whiteness of the paper or silk; causing minimal damage to the silk compared to traditional spot removal methods; and causing no damage to ink, gelatin, indigo, ochre, cinnabar, or lead white.

Images