Identification of iron-gall inks with near-infrared Raman microspectroscopy

Στο καινούργιο τευχος του Journal of Raman Spectroscopy (May 2008), οι Alana S. Lee, Vincent Otieno-Alego & Dudley C. Creagh παρουσιάζουν μια εργασία με τίτλο: "Ταυτοποίηση μελανιών μεταλλικής ακίδας με near-infrared Raman μικρο-φασματοσκοπία μεταλικής Identification of iron-gall inks with near-infrared Raman microspectroscopy ".

In the new Issue of Journal of Raman Spectroscopy (May 2008), Alana S. Lee, Vincent Otieno-Alego and Dudley C. Creagh present a paper titled: "Identification of iron-gall inks with near-infrared Raman microspectroscopy".

Περίληψη/Abstract: The identification of iron-gall inks on a number of 18th, 19th, and 20th century documents and a 12th century manuscript has been conducted using near-infrared Raman microspectroscopy. These historic iron-gall inks were found to display characteristic Raman bands generally occurring around 1475 cm^-1, between 1310 and 1350 cm^-1 (variable), 490-640 cm^-1 (combined broad band), and 400 cm^-1. These bands have promise as analytical spectroscopic markers for in situ non-destructive Raman identification of iron-gall ink on historic collections and were in good agreement with Raman data collected for laboratory-prepared iron-gall ink complexes and inks prepared following traditional iron-gall ink recipes. All historic ink spectra contained a fluorescent background, the degree of which varied between samples.

Article

All that is iron-ink is not always iron-gall!

Στο προηγούμενο τευχος του Journal of Raman Spectroscopy (April 2008), οι Marina Bicchieri, Michela Monti, Giovanna Piantanida & Armida Sodo παρουσιάζουν μια εργασία με τίτλο: "All that is iron-ink is not always iron-gall!".

In the previous Issue of Journal of Raman Spectroscopy (April 2008), Marina Bicchieri, Michela Monti, Giovanna Piantanida & Armida Sodo present a paper titled: "All that is iron-ink is not always iron-gall!".

Περίληψη/Abstract: A number of different inks were used, with the type and precise composition depending on geographical area and historical period. China, iron-gall and logwood were the most widespread, although a number of other graphic media were also used at particular times and places. Because of a problem encountered while planning the restoration of a manuscript apparently written with different media, we have carried out a systematic characterization of the inks involved. The manuscript (Francesco Maria da Ponticelli, Nova Rhetorica, 18th century) showed alternately, sometimes in the same page, dark-black well-defined inks and reddish-brown smudged ones. The latter ones were very difficult to be read and historians identified it as an iron-gall. Our first investigations of the document revealed that the ink had variable composition, but it always showed some typical features of logwood ink. To obtain a better understanding, we prepared, following ancient recipes, logwood inks with the addition of various metallic (Fe, Cr and Cu) salts or amorphous carbon. Iron-gall ink was also used for comparison and in order to obtain an unambiguous and full characterization of the most widespread inks used in manuscripts. Raman and infrared spectroscopies allowed us to identify the characteristic vibrational features of each prepared medium. These techniques, together with X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and multispectral investigations of the original document led us to hypothesize that iron salts were periodically added to the original logwood ink. These sequences of ink quality can be ascribed to a shortage of ink during the writing of the manuscript. A small amount of iron salt immediately darkens the logwood extract, allowing its prolonged use. The presence of iron complexes produces a reddish-brown coloration and causes ink migration in the paper. Combining all the information, we were able to suggest an appropriate restoration treatment and to choose infrared illumination to maximize the readability of the text.

Article

Classification and individualisation of black ballpoint pen inks using principal component analysis of UV–vis absorption spectra

Στο καινούργιο τευχος του Journal of Forensic Sciences International (Volume 174, Issue 1, 15 January 2008, Pages 16-25 ), οι Craig D. Adam, Sarah L. Sherratt & Vladimir L. Zholobenko παρουσιάζουν μια εργασία με τίτλο: "Classification and individualisation of black ballpoint pen inks using principal component analysis of UV–vis absorption spectra ".

In the new Issue of Journal of Forensic Sciences International (Volume 174, Issue 1, 15 January 2008, Pages 16-25 ), οι Craig D. Adam, Sarah L. Sherratt and Vladimir L. Zholobenko Meenakshi Mahajan & S.P. Arya present a paper titled: "Classification and individualisation of black ballpoint pen inks using principal component analysis of UV–vis absorption spectra Tape".

Περίληψη/Abstract: The technique of principal component analysis has been applied to the UV–vis spectra of inks obtained from a wide range of black ballpoint pens available in the UK market. Both the pen ink and material extracted from the ink line on paper have been examined. Here, principal component analysis characterised each spectrum within a group through the numerical loadings attached to the first few principal components. Analysis of the spectra from multiple measurements on the same brand of pen showed excellent reproducibility and clear discrimination between inks that was supported by statistical analysis. Indeed it was possible to discriminate between the pen ink and the ink line from all brands examined in this way, suggesting that the solvent extraction process may have an influence on these results. For the complete set of 25 pens, interpretation of the loadings for the first few principal components showed that both the pen inks and the extracted ink lines may be classified in an objective manner and in agreement with the results of parallel thin layer chromatography studies. Within each class almost all inks could be individualised. Further work has shown that principal component analysis may be used to identify a particular ink from a database of reference UV–vis spectra and a strategy for developing this approach is suggested.

Forensic Science International: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6W-4NF2NHG-1&_user=10&_coverDate=01%2F15%2F2008&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=522be83d3ff75cde594bc4371ada28f4