ANALYTICAL IDENTIFICATION OF HISTORICAL WRITING INKS ñ A NEW METHODOLOGICAL APPROACH

A novel methodological approach has been developed for the qualitative determination of nature of historical writing inks. The identication of unknown historical writing ink was performed using FTIR, UV and visible spectroscopies and capillary electrophoresis. The infrared spectra of all samples were recorded using two different techniques (KBr pellet and ZnSe cell). The KBr method was used for the characterization of ink samples evaporated to dryness, while ZnSe cell techniques were used for the analysis of ink aqueous solutions or suspensions. It was demonstrated that the KBr method could be used for the determination of nature of the historical writing ink sample, however, the application of ZnSe cell technique for the identication of specic features was problematic. Characterization by UV and visible spectroscopies and capillary electrophoresis also revealed the characteristic features in the ink samples providing a possibility to determine the identity of historical writing ink regarding its chemical composition.

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