The Use of Portable Raman Spectroscopy to Identify Conservation Treatments Applied to Heritage Stone

Nondestructive in situ analysis of materials is highly desirable in cultural heritage studies, because it precludes the need for intensive sampling. The present study focused on the usability of Raman spectrometers, which can provide such analysis, in the identification of conservation treatments ap...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Vázquez Calvo, M. Carmen, Martínez-Ramírez, S., Álvarez de Buergo, Mónica, Fort González, Rafael
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/115913
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/115913
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Portable analyzers
Stone
Consolidants
Micro-Raman spectroscopy
Descripción
Sumario:Nondestructive in situ analysis of materials is highly desirable in cultural heritage studies, because it precludes the need for intensive sampling. The present study focused on the usability of Raman spectrometers, which can provide such analysis, in the identification of conservation treatments applied to stone materials forming part of the architectural heritage. Two products commonly used to conserve stone monuments, an ethylmethacrylate copolymer and an ethyl orthosilicate, were analyzed with a Raman spectrometer, both as supplied and after application to limestone. The main conclusion was that portable Raman analyzers can detect the presence and—in some cases—identify the nature of products on stone substrates. The latter is not always possible due to product-stone substrate interaction. The study clearly showed that a product and substrate database is needed for portable Raman spectroscopy to be usable in the analysis of conservation products, both before and after application to stone substrates.