H-point standard addition method applied to solid-state stripping voltammetry: quantitation of lead and tin in archaeological glazes.

A solid-state electrochemical application of the H-point standard addition method to the quantification of two depositable metals A and B, which produce strongly overlapped stripping peaks, is described. The method is based on the mechanical transference of mixtures of the solid sample plus a selected compound, of a reference depositable metal R, and of known amounts of a reference material containing A or B, to paraffin-impregnated graphite electrodes. After a reductive deposition step, voltammograms recorded for those modified electrodes immersed into a suitable electrolyte produce stripping peaks for the oxidation of all of the metals deposited. Measurement of the currents at selected potentials in overlapping peaks corresponding to the stripping of A and B permits the quantitation of these metals in the solid sample, while avoiding matrix effects. The method was applied to the simultaneous determination of Pb and Sn in archaeological glazes using PbCO(3) and SnO(2) as standards and ZnO as a reference material.

Identification of lipid binders in old oil paintings by separation of 4-bromomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin derivatives of fatty acids by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection.

A HPLC-fluorescence method for identification of drying oils from binding media or protective film used in pictorial works of art prior to conservation or restoration is proposed. Fluorescence derivatization of fatty acids released by hydrolysis of structural drying oils is studied. The derivatization reagent was 4-(bromomethyl)-7-methoxycoumarin with 18-crown-6 as catalyst. Mobile phase was programmed from methanol-water (90:10 v/v) to methanol-water (100:0 v/v) in 25 min. The excitation and emission wavelengths were 325 and 395 nm, respectively. Under these chromatographic conditions, coumarin derivatives of myristic, palmitic, oleic and stearic acids were satisfactorily resolved. The method shows good sensitivity, with a detection limit of 6.0 x 10(-8) mmol, and good linearity between 1.0 x 10(-7) and 1.8 x 10(-4) mmol of each analyte. Peak area ratios among fatty acids derivatives, especially the stearic acid/palmitic acid peak area ratio, are useful to identify the drying oils. The proposed method has been successfully applied to artistic samples from items of the cultural heritage of Valencia (Spain).

Identification of diterpenes in canvas painting varnishes by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with combined derivatisation.

A derivatisation method that combines the formation of ethyl esters from the carboxylic groups and trimethylsilyl ethers from hydroxyl groups of the components of diterpenic resins is presented in this paper. This methodology involves two experimental steps: (1) formation of ethyl esters using ethyl chloroformate; and (2) the esterified compounds are lead to react with trimethylsilylimidazole to form the corresponding trimethylsilyl ethers. The main advantage of the proposed method is the possibility of performing simultaneously the analysis of amino acids from proteins, fatty acids from drying oils, and diterpenic compounds from natural resins usually found in works of art. This methodology is of considerable interest due to the requirements of minimum sampling that usually involves the analysis of works of art. A chemometric study has been developed to adjust the optimal working conditions of the proposed derivatisation method in which chromatographic peak areas of the larixyl acetate derivative and the abietic acid derivative referred to n-hexadecane as internal standard have been compared. Samples of Venetian turpentine naturally aged have been used in this study. Finally, the efficiency of the proposed derivatisation method has been tested on other diterpenic resins and pigments commonly used in fine arts such as Strasbourg turpentine, Canada balsam, colophony, copper resinate and a sample from a Renaissance Altarpiece.

Characterization of bile acids and fatty acids from ox bile in oil paintings by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Characterization of ox bile, traditionally used in painting, is of interest in the fields of archaeometry and conservation and restoration of works of art. Bile acids, fatty acids (F), and cholesterol found in ox bile have been identified using a derivatization method that combines the formation of ethyl esters from the carboxylic groups and the trimethylsilyl ethers from hydroxyl groups. This method of analysis is consistent with these others proposed by the authors to analyze drying oils, proteins, and diterpenic resins usually used as binders and varnishes by the painters. Bile acids from binary samples such as animal glue/ox bile, casein/ox bile and Arabic gum/ox bile have been successfully analyzed using the proposed method. Finally, a method of analysis of mixtures of drying oil and ox bile has been also proposed attempting to quantitatively characterize samples in which ox bile was added to the drying oil for increasing the surfactant properties.

Suppression of pigment interference in the gas chromatographic analysis of proteinaceous binding media in paintings with EDTA.

A method to suppress the interference of pigments in the analysis of proteinaceous media used in paintings is presented in this paper. This method is based on the formation of metallic ion-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complexes previous to the derivatisation process, using ethyl chloroformate (ECF), to transform the amino acids in N(O,S)-ethoxycarbonyl (EOC) ethyl esters. Test specimens, containing different proteinaceous media such as albumin, porcine gelatine and casein mixed with lead white, chalk, verdigris and raw Sienna have been prepared for carrying out this study. Different pH conditions have been probed for the different pigments studied. Values of peak area ratio of amino acids relative to the alanine, obtained using the proposed method on a series of protein-pigment test specimens, have been compared to those from specimens of pure protein in which direct method of derivatisation was applied. Finally, the method has been successfully applied to the analysis of 18th century wall paintings in which animal glue was used as binding medium.

Identification of drying oils used in pictorial works of art by liquid chromatography of the 2-nitrophenylhydrazides derivatives of fatty acids.

A new HPLC-UV-Vis method for identification of drying oils from binding media or protective film used in pictorial works of art prior to conservation or restoration is proposed. Chromophore derivatization of fatty acids released by hydrolysis of structural drying oils is studied. The derivatization reagent selected was 2-nitrophenylhydrazine with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl animopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride/pyridine as catalyst. This reaction was carried out using microwave heating. Mobile phase was methanol/water/n-propanol/acetic acid (80:14:5:1) running in isocratic mode. Absorbance was measured at 400nm. In these conditions, hydrazides of myristic, palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids were satisfactorily resolved. Method shows good sensitivity, with a detection limit of 15mumoll(-1), and good linearity between 0.03 and 3mmoll(-1). Peak area ratios among fatty acids derivatives allows identification of the drying oils. The stearic/palmitic ratio is the most important, because it allows to differentiate among the different drying oils. The proposed method has been successfully applied to real samples from items of the cultural heritage of Valencia (Spain).

Application of SEM/EDX and metallographic techniques to the diachronic study (6th-18th century) of metallurgical materials found in archaeological excavations on the island of Ibiza (Spain).

This work is the archaeometric study of the different types of materials recovered in the same excavation or archaeological dig (which makes it possible to accurately date the remains found) on the island of Ibiza (Spain). The samples found belong only to the phase of iron forging and span a very wide historical period from the 6th to the 18th century, including the Islamic period. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is proposed to observe the images obtained of the surfaces of the samples, in order to study the topographical, morphological and microstructural characteristics providing information on the materials contained in the samples. It also permits chemical analysis of the elements in the sample using X-ray Microanalysis (SEM/EDX), which provides both qualitative and semi-quantitative information on the elements in the sample. The archaeometric results suggest that the sole use of the area studied was as a forge workshop over a long period of time. The slag studied show that no reduction or refining activities took place in the area. However, in this forge, pieces of other metals were also produced, especially bronze alloys, polymetallism being a common characteristic throughout history.

Electrochemical identification of anthraquinone-based dyes in solid microsamples by square wave voltammetry using graphite/polyester composite electrodes.

An electrochemical method for identifying anthraquinone-type dyes in microsamples from works of art, based in the voltammetry of microparticles approach, is reported. Upon attachment onto graphite/polyester composite electrodes, natural pigments aloe, henna, cochineal red, madder lake, kermes, shellac, and alizarin and purpurin taken as reference materials can be identified from their square wave voltammetric profiles in MeCN (0.10 mol L(-1) Bu(4)NPF(6)) and aqueous (0.25 mol L(-1) acetic acid+0.25 mol L(-1) sodium acetate) electrolytes.

Unbiased spectrophotometric method for estimating phenol or o-cresol in unknown water samples.

The generalised H-point standard addition method (GHPSAM) was applied to quantify phenol and o-cresol in waters and compared with other analytical approaches. The method is based on spectroscopic and kinetic measurement of the formation of derivatives with p-aminophenol and KIO(4) in presence of NaOH. First, pseudo-first order kinetic behaviour of the reaction products was demonstrated. The unbiased formation rate constants of phenol and o-cresol derivatives were calculated. The analytical figures of merit were determined using the GHPSAM as calibration method. Detection limits achieved were 0.2 microg L(-1) of phenol and 0.2 microg L(-1) of o-cresol using a preconcentration factor of 10. Styrene-divinyl benzene cartridges were used in the preconcentration step. Repeatability values were 3.7% for phenol and 2.0% for o-cresol; reproducibility values were 6.9% and 3.5%, respectively. Accurate and precise results were obtained when the method was applied to real samples of natural water.

Analytical study by SEM/EDX and metallographic techniques of materials used in the iron production process during the iberian period.

This work is the archaeometric study of different types of materials used in iron production in the Iberian Period (6th-2nd century b.c.). The materials were recovered in several archaeological digs (which makes it possible to date the archaeological remains) on different sites in the Levante area of the Iberian Peninsula. The samples selected for this study belong to different materials used in the ancient iron production process such as ores, slags, finished objects, etc. The use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is proposed to observe surface images of the samples to determine their morphological, microstructural and topographic characteristics to obtain valuable information on the materials studied. The study also proposes chemical analysis of the elements in the sample by X-ray microanalysis (SEM/EDX) which provides both qualitative and quantitative information. The archaeometric study suggests that the iron obtained was very good quality, but the process was not economically efficient when viewed from today's perspective. Furthermore, the slag produced in the furnace can be related with the slag or impurities contained in the iron. It has also been possible to relate the ores and slag, some furnace conditions, the use of fluxes and also to differentiate types of slag.

Multivariate calibration applied to simultaneous chemiluminescence determination of cobalt and chromium.

The simultaneous determination of chromium and cobalt in water samples has been studied. Chemiluminescence registers based on the luminol-hydrogen peroxide reaction have obtained by a batch procedure. PLS algorithms have employed to model the time-response (formation and destruction of emitter). The influence of the presence of two metals and the non-linearity relationship between response and concentration have been evaluated in the signal. Different experimental designs and the selection of variables have been tested. The calibration set has been selected based on two criteria: unicomponent and/or bicomponent standard solutions and the slope calculated from linear univariate calibration. The response has been modelled providing high percentages of explained variance, robust models and low prediction errors. The proposed methodology has been validated using test standard solutions and a standard reference material of fresh water. Accurate results have proved the advantages of this method for the simultaneous determination of chromium and cobalt in water samples.

Application of XRF, XRD, thermal analysis, and voltammetric techniques to the study of ancient ceramics.

An in-depth chemical-analytical study has been performed on biscuit and mortar from 17th-18th century tiles from a mediaeval hermitage in the province of Valencia (Spain). Representative samples were chosen from the tile fragments available, using appearance, essentially color and consistency, as the criterion. The chemical composition was analyzed by X-ray fluorescence of the samples in the form of glass disks after a previous qualitative study to choose the standard materials for calibration and the experimental conditions used in the analysis. X-ray diffraction of the samples provided information about the mineralogical composition which was consistent with the firing of the original materials; it also gave information about the range of temperatures used in the firing. From thermal gravimetric analysis of the limestone, and from historical considerations, it was possible to deduce the raw materials used and their approximate composition in the tiles. In the same way it was possible to determine the nature of the mortars used to fix the tiles. Cyclic voltammetric study of the iron(II) and iron(III) system in the biscuit showed the simultaneous presence of both oxidation states, corroborating the results.

Analytical study of proteinaceous binding media in works of art by gas chromatography using alkyl chloroformates as derivatising agents.

In this work, we present the results obtained in an analytical study of the different types of proteinaceous binding media most commonly used in paintings, using GC-FID as the technique of analysis and GC-MS as a confirmatory technique. The application of this methodology requires prior hydrolysis of the proteins in the binding media to obtain free amino acids and then volatile derivatives, in this case by reaction with chloroformates due to advantages of speed, safety and the aqueous medium in which the reaction occurs. The method proposed for the proteinaceous binding media study is to calculate the proportions of the different amino acids with respect to alanine. This method provided good characterisation of different binding media, such as pork gelatine, beef gelatine, albumin, egg white and casein. The proposed method is used for the identification of binding media (including mixtures of binders) present in real samples from paintings in the city of Valencia, Spain.

Electrochemical identification of metal ions in archaeological ceramic glazes by stripping voltammetry at graphite/polyester composite electrodes.

The electrochemical response of metal ions in different samples of coloured ceramic tin-lead glazes attached to graphite/polyester composite electrodes is described. In addition to the ubiquous signals for lead, reductive dissolution processes are followed by anodic stripping peaks for Co, Cu, Sb, Mn, Sn and Fe, enabling the direct identification of such elements in microsamples proceeding from archaeological glazed tiles from Valencia (Spain) workshops (16th-18th century). Additional anodic and cathodic peaks corresponding to redox processes involving metal species in solution generated during stripping processes are also used. Peak potentials, Tafel plots and shape parameters are used for characterising the different species.

Identification of lipid binders in paintings by gas chromatography. Influence of the pigments.

The influence of the presence and the type of pigments in the lipid binding media of paintings were studied by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. The drying oils were linseed stand oil, poppy oil and sunflower oil, and the pigments studied were cadmium red, cobalt blue, tin white, lead white, chalk and plaster of Paris, commonly used in paintings. The results indicate that the stearic/palmitic ratio and the presence of pigments are quite stable during ageing. However, some differences in the oleic acid/palmitic acid ratio were found, depending on the type of pigment present in the lipid binding media. These variations are related to the drying effect of the pigments. The proposed method has been applied to the identification of drying oils in two samples from baroque paintings in the "Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados" of Valencia, Spain.

Analytical study of canvas painting collection from the Basilica de la Virgen de los Desamparados using SEM/EDX, FT-IR, GC and electrochemical techniques.

A new method, based on the combined use of scanning electron microscopy-x-ray microanalysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography and differential pulse voltammetry, is proposed which permits a parallel investigation of organic and inorganic materials and the characterization of the artistic technique employed in canvas painting. The proposed method has led to analyze succesfully the canvas painting collection exhibited in the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados (Valencia, Spain) which includes art works from 17th to 20th century.

Electrochemical analysis of the alterations in copper pigments using charge transfer coefficient/peak potential diagrams. Application to microsamples of baroque wall paintings attached to polymer film electrodes.

The alteration of copper pigments in art samples was studied by linear scan and cyclic voltammetry using sample-modified Elvacite 2044 film electrodes on the basis of two-dimensional diagrams of charge transfer coefficients calculated from Tafel plots of reductive dissolution processes vs. peak potential. Characteristic voltammetric peaks were obtained for pigments used in the baroque vault frescoes of the Basílica de la Virgen de los Desamparados painted by Antonio Palomino. Results obtained by voltammetric techniques were compared with those from SEM/EDX and FT-IR analysis obtaining a good agreement and leaving to an unambiguous identification of pigments used by Palomino and their alteration products.

Identification by GC-FID and GC-MS of amino acids, fatty and bile acids in binding media used in works of art.

GC-FID was used as single methodology for the identification and differentiation of proteins, lipids and ox bile from binders used in artistic paintings. The samples were hydrolyzed by HCl. Subsequently, the simultaneous formation of volatile derivatives of the amino, fatty and bile acids with ethyl chloroformate was performed quickly and safely in an aqueous medium. The derivatives were separated by capillary GC and characterized by GC-MS. The ageing of drying oils was studied, identifying pelargonic acid among other degradation products. Proteinaceous and lipoid binding media were characterized by means of the quotients between the areas of the peaks for each amino or fatty acid with respect to the area of the peak for alanine or palmitic acid. Fatty acids from ox bile were easily identified by their retention times characteristic for eicosanoic, docosanoic and pentadecanoic acids. The suggested method was applied to the analysis of binders in baroque paintings by Palomino in Valencia (Spain). Animal gelatine and linseed oil were found.

A new flow cell design for chemiluminiscence analysis.

The present study proposes a new flow cell called a bundle cell for chemiluminescence analysis. The results obtained were compared with those achieved by manual and automated batch procedures and flow manifolds with different cells: an common quartz flow cell, a helix cell and the most used spiral cell. Figures of merit such as limit of detection, sensitivity, accuracy and precision for the Cr(III) determination were established with light emission produced by catalysed Cr(III) luminol oxidation by hydrogen peroxide in a basic aqueous solution. An improvement in sensitivity about 50% as compared with the spiral cell and even larger with respect to the other flow cells tested was observed. The limit of detection provided was lower than those obtained with the other flow cells. In reference to the batch mode, similar results were obtained with the bundle flow cell. Good results were obtained for several real water samples containing chromium at different concentrations.

H-point curve isolation method for coupled liquid chromatography and UV-visible spectrophotometry.

The H-point curve isolation method (HPCIM) for the detection of unknown interferences in chromatography is proposed. The method allows one to estimate the UV-vis spectra of interfering species in a sample as well as to test the purity of the chromatographic peaks. Besides the detection of the unknown interferences in a sample, this method allows one to calculate the concentration of an analyte in the presence of unknown compounds. To illustrate the reliability of the proposed method, samples of diuretics and amphetamines have been analyzed by normal- and reversed-phase high-performance chromatography.