A Non-Invasive Computational Investigation of the Photodegradation of Vermilion
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Abstract
Mercury sulfide (HgS), the primary
component of cinnabar and vermilion, has
been used in art as a pigment, a material
in Chinese lacquer sculptures, and in other
resin pigment inlays. The red color is
known to photodegrade in the presence of
chlorides, humidity, and light, causing
irreparable damage. Such pieces are often
recovered from caves, in proximity to
chlorine containing minerals. While the
method of degradation is known, the role
of the chlorine in the degradation
mechanism remains unknown.