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Analytical characterization of polymers used in conservation and restoration by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy

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Abstract

In the last few decades many new polymers have been synthesized that are now being used in cultural heritage conservation. The physical and chemical properties and the long-term behaviors of these new polymers are determined by the chemical composition of the starting materials used in their synthesis along with the nature of the substances added to facilitate their production. The practical applications of these polymers depend on their composition and form (foam, film, sheets, pressure-sensitive adhesives, heat-seal adhesives, etc.). Some materials are used in restoration works and others for the exhibition, storage and transport of works of art. In all cases, it is absolutely necessary to know their compositions. Furthermore, many different materials that are manufactured for other objectives are also used for conservation and restoration. The technical information about the materials provided by the manufacturer is usually incomplete, so it is necessary to analytically characterize such materials. FTIR spectrometry is widely used for polymer identification, and, more recently, ATR–FTIR has been shown to give excellent results. This paper reports the ATR-FTIR analysis of samples of polymeric materials used in the conservation of artworks. These samples were examined directly in the solid material without sample preparation.

 

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Acknowledgements

Project 252/2008 supported by DG BBAA del Ministerio de Cultura and Project CCG07-UCM/MAT-3002 (IV PRICIT CAM). The authors are very grateful to Pilar Borrego, Carmen Ahedo and Veronica Burguer for the information they provided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universidad Complutense-Instituto de Patrimonio Cultural de España, Facultad de Bellas Artes. Dept. Pintura-Restauración C/Greco 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain

    Ruth Chércoles Asensio

  2. Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Bellas Artes. Dept. Pintura-Restauración C/Greco 2, Madrid, 28040, Spain

    Margarita San Andrés Moya & José Manuel de la Roja

  3. Instituto de Patrimonio Cultural de España, Laboratorio, C/Greco 4, Madrid, 28040, Spain

    Marisa Gómez

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  1. Ruth Chércoles Asensio
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  2. Margarita San Andrés Moya
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  3. José Manuel de la Roja
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  4. Marisa Gómez
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Correspondence to Ruth Chércoles Asensio or Margarita San Andrés Moya.

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Chércoles Asensio, R., San Andrés Moya, M., de la Roja, J.M. et al. Analytical characterization of polymers used in conservation and restoration by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Anal Bioanal Chem 395, 2081–2096 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3201-2

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