The Chemistry of ArtThe Chemistry of ArtThe Chemistry of ArtThe Chemistry of Art

Elizabeth Wise, Ph.D.

Lourdes College

Elizabeth Wise, Ph.D.

Lourdes College

PreparationPreparation

• Course Materials: NSF Center for Workshops in the Chemical Sciences, http://chemistry.gsu.edu/CWCS/

• Text: Barbara R. Greenberg and Dianne Patterson, Art in Chemistry; Chemistry in Art. Teacher Ideas Press: Westport, Connecticut, 2008.

• Course Materials: NSF Center for Workshops in the Chemical Sciences, http://chemistry.gsu.edu/CWCS/

• Text: Barbara R. Greenberg and Dianne Patterson, Art in Chemistry; Chemistry in Art. Teacher Ideas Press: Westport, Connecticut, 2008.

General InformationGeneral Information

• Audience: undergraduate non-science majors; undergraduate science majors; high school students; summer workshops for students in grades 5-10 or for teachers

• Format: 2.5-hour class with integrated lab/studio activities

• Audience: undergraduate non-science majors; undergraduate science majors; high school students; summer workshops for students in grades 5-10 or for teachers

• Format: 2.5-hour class with integrated lab/studio activities

Overview of TopicsOverview of Topics• Basics

▪ Light, Color, and Matter (inorganic & organic)• Applications of Chemistry in Art

▪ Paint Media▪ Pigments and Dyes▪ Glass and Ceramics▪ Polymers▪ Metals▪ Photography▪ Conservation and Restoration

• Basics▪ Light, Color, and Matter (inorganic & organic)

• Applications of Chemistry in Art▪ Paint Media▪ Pigments and Dyes▪ Glass and Ceramics▪ Polymers▪ Metals▪ Photography▪ Conservation and Restoration

Class ActivitiesClass Activities• Chromatography of pen inks• T-shirts with flower patterns or element symbols• Compare/contrast different paint media• Shrinky Dinks• Borax crystal shapes• Frescoes• Etched glass• Super sculpey or ceramics project• Anodize niobium wire• Cyanotypes

• Chromatography of pen inks• T-shirts with flower patterns or element symbols• Compare/contrast different paint media• Shrinky Dinks• Borax crystal shapes• Frescoes• Etched glass• Super sculpey or ceramics project• Anodize niobium wire• Cyanotypes

DemonstrationsDemonstrations

• Karen Timberlake, author of GOB and basic chemistry texts

• Steve Spangler, http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

• Karen Timberlake, author of GOB and basic chemistry texts

• Steve Spangler, http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

Science Academic Content StandardsPhysical Sciences, Grades 9-10

Science Academic Content StandardsPhysical Sciences, Grades 9-10

• Describe that matter is made of minute particles called atoms and atoms are comprised of even smaller components. Explain the structure and properties of atoms.

• Explain how atoms react with each other to form other substances and how molecules react with each other or other atoms to form even different substances.

• Describe that matter is made of minute particles called atoms and atoms are comprised of even smaller components. Explain the structure and properties of atoms.

• Explain how atoms react with each other to form other substances and how molecules react with each other or other atoms to form even different substances.

Physical Sciences, Grades 9-10 (cont.)Physical Sciences, Grades 9-10 (cont.)

• Describe the identifiable physical properties of substances (e.g. color, hardness, conductivity, density, concentration and ductility). Explain how changes in these properties can occur without changing the chemical nature of the substance.

• Demonstrate that waves (e.g. sound, seismic, water and light) have energy and waves can transfer energy when they interact with matter.

• Describe the identifiable physical properties of substances (e.g. color, hardness, conductivity, density, concentration and ductility). Explain how changes in these properties can occur without changing the chemical nature of the substance.

• Demonstrate that waves (e.g. sound, seismic, water and light) have energy and waves can transfer energy when they interact with matter.

Science Academic Content StandardsPhysical Sciences, Grades 11-12

Science Academic Content StandardsPhysical Sciences, Grades 11-12

• Explain how variations in the arrangement and motion of atoms and molecules form the basis of a variety of biological, chemical and physical phenomena.

• Describe how atoms and molecules can gain or lose energy only in discrete amounts.

• Explain how variations in the arrangement and motion of atoms and molecules form the basis of a variety of biological, chemical and physical phenomena.

• Describe how atoms and molecules can gain or lose energy only in discrete amounts.

PowerPoint BasicsPowerPoint BasicsPowerPoint BasicsPowerPoint Basics

Components of PresentationComponents of Presentation

• Ask for input

• Provide information

• Evaluate learning

• Class Activity

• Ask for input

• Provide information

• Evaluate learning

• Class Activity

Paint Binders

Film-Forming Polymers

Work with a partner to...

List examples of

Can you describe basic polymer structure?

Polymers — What Are They?

Hundreds or thousands of monomers MACROMOLECULES - high mol. wt. Natural and Synthetic Polymers

POLY = many MER = parts or units MONOMER = basic unit

Natural Polymers Came First Proteins

Hair, wool, fur, silk, casein Carbohydrates

Cellulose (cotton), starch, plant gums Rubber

Extract of rubber tree

Natural Polymers Proteins

Carbohydrates

n

—NH—C—C—

H O

R6R5

H O

—NH—C—C——NH—C—C—

H O

R4R3

H O

—NH—C—C——NH—C—C—

H O

R2R1

H O

—NH—C—C—

O

OH

HO

OHO

O

OH

HO

OHO

O

OH

HO

OHO

O

OH

HO

OHO

O

OH

HO

OHO

O

OH

HO

OHO

O

OH

HO

OHO

n

Synthetic Polymers = Plastics Celluloid - 1869 - substitute for ivory Rayon - 1878 - substitute for silk Bakelite - 1907 - first wholly synthetic Nylon - 1939 - intro at NY World’s Fair Polyethylene, polyesters, Teflon® -1930’s Polycarbonates - 1950’s Polyaramids - bullet-proof vests

Some Polymer Trade Names Formica Dacron (polyester) Mylar Plexiglass Lucite Orlon Saran Teflon Kevlar

Plastics are Polymers Thermoplastic polymers

soften and flow when heated re-harden when cooled easily molded easily recycled

Thermoset polymers do not soften with heat, cannot be remelted heat resistent rigid and hard

Types of Polymers Linear Polymers — THERMOPLASTIC

Branched Polymers — THERMOPLASTIC

Types of Polymers Cross-linked Polymers — THERMOSETS

Usually more rigid or stiff

Uses of Polymeric Materials Synthetic fibers Plastic films Synthetic rubber (silicone rubber) Adhesives and binding agents

Polymers in Art

Paper Fibers Paint Binders and Glues

Primary binder functions...

1. Executive — makes paint spreadable

2. Binding — adheres pigment to surface

3. Film-forming — encloses and protects pigment from atmospheric chemicals

4. Optical — alters appearance by absorption, reflection and refraction of light

Film-Forming Agents Lipids (fats, oils, waxes)

Oil paint, egg tempera paint, encaustic paint Carbohydrates (sugars and starches)

Watercolor and gouache paint, gum adhesives and glues

Proteins Milk paint, egg tempera paint, adhesives

Terpene Resins (essential plant oils) Varnishes

Synthetic Polymers Acrylic and Alkyd binders

Learning Check Which of the following is a primary binder

function?a) adheres pigment to surface b) makes paint spreadable c) alters appearance by absorption, reflection, or refraction of light d) all of the above

Which category of binder is used in watercolor?a) carbohydrate b) lipid c) protein d) synthetic polymer

Learning Check Which of the following is NOT true of fats?

a) contain mainly saturated fatty acids b) have high melting points c) are solid or semi-solid d) derived from plant sources

Which of the following represents the building blocks of carbohydrates?a) amino acids b) fatty acids c) monosaccharides d) polysaccharides

Class Activity

Shrinky Dinks