Studies in Conservation· 2026Q1
Grains of Salt: Evaluating Parameters of pH Measurements for Aqueous Treatments in Paper Conservation
- 0citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Adding salt to aqueous solutions for paper conservation pH measurements did not consistently stabilize readings, particularly for calcium and ammonium hydroxide solutions, due to their unbuffered nature.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Salt addition did not consistently stabilize pH measurements in aqueous solutions used for paper conservation.
- Deionized water pH readings were stabilized by salt, but calcium and ammonium hydroxide solutions were not.
- The unbuffered nature of hydroxide solutions is a probable reason for pH measurement inconsistency.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
This study investigates the difficulty paper conservators often have in obtaining consistent pH measurements of aqueous treatment solutions. The research compares different methods of pH measurement (strips and meters) and the addition of different salt concentrations and types to aqueous treatment solution samples to increase their ion concentration for pH measurement. It also investigates the impact of adding salt to common aqueous treatment solutions (calcium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide) on pH measurement. While the addition of salt was stabilizing for deionized water measurements, it did not have a consistent stabilizing effect on calcium and ammonium hydroxide adjusted solutions. The unbuffered nature of hydroxide solutions used in paper conservation may be a contributing factor in this inconsistency.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Studies in Conservation, 2026 · DOI ↗
Continue with a free account
Ask the paper: 3 free questions a day about this paper; save it, get its citation, new summaries every day for your field. Takeaways are Premium.
Continue free on the webSign in with Google or Apple; no card needed. You come back to this paper.
On your phone:
Field: Conservation
ConservationArts and Humanities