Identification of iron gall inks, logwood inks, and their mixtures using Raman spectroscopy, supplemented by reflection and transmission infrared spectroscopy

Retko, Klara (author), Legan, Lea (author), Kosel, Janez (author), Ropret, Polonca (author)

Raman spectral references for various formulations of iron gall inks, logwood inks and mixtures of both types were acquired during this study. The samples, either liquid or dry inks and applied on paper, were analysed using a portable Raman spectrometer, both with 852 and 785 nm excitation lines, and a confocal dispersive Raman microscope with two different excitations, namely 785 and 532 nm. It was found that longer wavelengths are more suitable for the analysis of iron gall inks and that the spectral response of logwood inks is relatively more dependent on the excitation line. For the mixtures, it is suggested analyses be performed with both longer and shorter wavelengths, since with a 785 nm line mainly the characteristic features of the metal-polyphenol complex in iron gall inks are detected, while the spectra collected with a 532 nm excitation contain information on the presence of logwood inks. The study was complemented by non-invasive reflectance infrared spectroscopy, which enabled the detection of tannic acid in iron gall inks and in the mixtures, and by micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to complement the reference set. The study aims to contribute to the development of non-invasive protocols for identification of inks in historic and artistic works on paper, such as manuscripts and drawings.

• Language: English
• Keywords: ink, iron gall, logwood, mixtures, Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 20 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 12, art. 212
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-166682
• UDC: 667.4:543
• ISSN on article: 2050-7445
• DOI: 10.1186/s40494-024-01323-0
• COBISS.SI-ID: 199628035
• Publication date in RUL: 21.01.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Heritage science
• Shortened title: Herit. sci.
• Publisher: Chemistry Central
• ISSN: 2050-7445
• COBISS.SI-ID: 36621317

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: črnilo, železna žolča, les, hlodovina, spektroskopija, naravoslovne preiskave