Elemental labeling for the identification of proteinaceous-binding media in art works by ICP-MS

In the history of art, artists have used many different organic compounds to dissolve pigments and apply them onto a support to obtain a paint layer. Proteins were used with success from the Middle Ages up to the Renaissance, and the traditional protein sources were animal parts (skins, tendons and bones) or milk and eggs. Moreover, some of these materials are commonly used as adhesive. In this paper, the first application of the metallomic analytical technique to the identification of proteins in artworks is reported. Samples were derivatized with DTPA/Eu and the derivatization procedure was evaluated by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight before high performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma MS analysis. This study has been carried out on laboratory models prepared in‐house for method development, resulting in the correct identification of the different classes of proteinaceous binders typically used. In addition, some unknown paint layer samples have been analyzed demonstrating that the method is applicable to very small sample amounts (0.6 mg), which are compatible with the amount normally available for this kind of analysis. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of the method, suggesting the potential future use as novel diagnostic tool in the scientific study of artworks. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparative study of different indigo-clay Maya Blue-like systems using the voltammetry of microparticles approach

Using the voltammetry of microparticles approach, the electrochemical response of complexes prepared with indigo plus different clays in contact with aqueous electrolytes is described. Indigo presents a strong attachment with palygorskite and sepiolite in contrast to a weak attachment to planar clays (montomorillonite and kaolinite). Cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric data provide estimates of the variation of the concentration of indigo and dehydroindigo with the depth on clay crystals. The indigoids (indigo and dehydroindigo) penetrate more in palygorskite than in sepiolite, and this penetration is favoured by thermal treatments (very efficient up to 130 °C). The indigo concentration decreases monotonically versus depth, while the dehydroindigo one increases from zero in the external region of the crystals to a maximum at a depth between 40 and 80 nm and then decreasing rapidly. These facts are directly linked to the much higher resistance to acid attack of palygorskite–indigo pigments (Maya Blue) than sepiolite–indigo ones.     

GC-MS characterisation and identification of natural terpenic resins employed in works of art

Natural resins were frequently employed in the past as adhesives or as components of oleo-resinous media in paintings. The identification of vegetable resins is still an open problem. The aim of this paper is to analyse by GC-MS some vegetable resins frequently employed in paintings, such as Venice turpentine, dammar, copal, elemi, in order to identify their main components in samples both raw and aged. Some molecules are proposed as chemical markers to identify these natural resins. Two samples scraped off from XV and XVII century paintings were used to test the reliability of proposed method.     

Electrochemical quantification of copper-based alloys using voltammetry of microparticles: optimization of the experimental conditions

Voltammetry of microparticles has been used in this work for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of zinc, tin, lead and copper in binary, ternary or quaternary alloy samples. The analyses were carried out by spiking small amounts of the metals into a carbon paste electrode, after which they were anodically stripped off using differential pulse voltammetry. The work involved four separate experiments. The first one examined the type of electrolyte, which is suitable to identify the four elements. More specifically, the aim was to examine in which electrolyte all elements can be measured simultaneously–as would be the case in a quaternary copper alloy–without seeing any overlap in their current peaks. The second experiment focused on optimizing the measurement conditions with the aim of having the current peaks of each element well separated from the others. For this part, we made use of the central composite design. The aims were to: (i) maximize the separation between current peaks, (ii) determine which variable has a higher impact on the response, (iii) give an insight in the robustness of the method close to the optimum conditions and (iv) eventually show interactions between variables. In the third experiment, the four elements were quantified in their binary mixtures. Here, the percentage of the oxidation current for each metal, which is directly related to the ratio of the metal in the binary matrices, was employed for the calibration. Finally, in the last experiment, the elements were quantified in two real quaternary samples: a brass and a lead bronze.     

Square wave voltammetry for analytical determination of paracetamol using cobalt microparticles film modified platinum electrode

Cobalt microparticles (Co MPs) modified Pt electrode is simply and conveniently fabricated. The electrochemical properties of paracetamol (PCT) at the prepared modified electrode are investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) measurements. Based on these techniques, a sensitive and rapid electrochemical method is developed for the determination of PCT. The result indicates that the oxidation of PCT is strongly improved at the Co MPs/Pt electrode as compared with the bare Pt electrode, with relatively high sensitivity, stability and life time. The determination of PCT on the Co MPs/Pt with square wave voltammetry displays a high sensitivity of 101 μA/mM and a low detection limit of 0.42 μM (S/N = 3) in the range (0.5–100 μM). The sensitivity of the modified electrode for the detection of PCT is almost 17 times greater than on the bare Pt electrode. The proposed method is successfully applied to the PCT determination in tablets.     

Application of the voltammetry of microparticles for dating archaeological lead using polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The application of the voltammetry of microparticles methodology to date archaeological lead artifacts, based on the time-dependent formation of different layers of lead oxides, whose relative amount can be estimated from polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), is presented. This approach is complemented by additional data using square wave voltammetry data. Calibration of the method was performed with the help of a series of well-documented, lead pieces from the funds of different Spanish museums, covering since the 7th century BC to nowadays.     

Separation of human orosomucoid major gene products using immobilized copper affinity chromatography and identification of the metal-interactive residues

Summary The major gene products of human orosomucoid, GP1 and GP2, were purified using immobilized copper affinity chromatography [Cu(II)-IMAC], with 3 mM imidazole as eluent. Both gene products bound to the Cu(II)-IMAC column in the presence of 1 M NaCl, but at different pHs. GP1 was not retained after treatment with diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC). This modification was characterized using difference absorbance spectrophotometry and mass spectrometry. The latter provided unambiguous assignment of some of the modified residues. No correlation was observed between the modification of histidine/tyrosine and protein retention. Furthermore, removal of the carbethoxy groups of modified histidine and tyrosine by hydroxylamine treatment did not improve the retention. Therefore neither histidine nor tyrosine could be the critical residues in metal recognition. Results from mass spectrometric analysis of retained and unretained fractions of DEPC modified GP 1 indicated that the lysine residues 130/135 and 152 were modified significantly in both fractions, but to a relatively less extent in the retained one. We suggest that the retnetion of GP1 involves several residues including lysines, and that a critical number of these is necessary for retention.     

The versatility of salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone in the determination of copper in blood using adsorptive stripping voltammetry

The adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry technique (AdCSV) is used to determine copper(II) using salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (N, S- donor) as a complexing agent on hanging mercury drop electrode at pH 9.3. Variable factors affecting the response, i.e. the concentration of ligand, pH, adsorption potential and adsorption time are assessed and optimized. The adsorbed complex of copper(II) and salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone gives a well defined cathodic stripping peak current at −0.35 V, which has been used for the determination of copper in the concentration range of 7.85 × 10⁻⁹ to 8.00 × 10⁻⁶ M with accumulation time of 360 s at −0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl. This technique has been applied for the determination of copper in various digested samples of whole blood at trace levels.     

Cathodic stripping voltammetry of cysteine using silver and copper solid amalgam electrodes

Silver and copper solid amalgam electrodes (modified with mercury meniscus and based on amalgamation of fine metallic powder) have been successfully tested for cathodic stripping voltammetry of cysteine. In the case of the silver solid amalgam electrode AgSAE the relative standard deviation (RSD) and the detection limit (3 SD) reached +/-2.3% and 3x10(-9) mol l(-1) cysteine, respectively.     

Electrochemical identification of flavonoid dyes in solid work of art samples by abrasive voltammetry at paraffin-impregnated graphite electrodes

An electrochemical method for identifying flavonoid-type dyes in microsamples from works of art is reported. Square wave voltammograms of natural insoluble dyestuffs based on flavonoid structure dragoon's blood, weld, old fustic, gamboge, Brazilwood and logwood (Campeche wood) attached to paraffin-impregnated graphite electrodes in contact with 0.25 M HAc + 0.25 M NaAc aqueous buffer display characteristic peaks in the potential region between +0.85 and −0.85 V versus AgCl/Ag. Sequential experiments in contact with 0.05 M AlCl₃ and 0.05 M Na₂MoO₄ plus HAc/NaAc and 0.05 M H₃BO₃ + 0.10 M NaOH solutions also provide dye-characteristic signals allowing for an unambiguous identification of each one of the pigments. Individual pigments were satisfactorily identified in mixtures of pigments and real samples from textile pieces found in Castellfort (Valencian Region, Spain) attributed to the 15th century production of local textile workshops.     

Potentiometric detection in ion chromatography using a metallic copper indicator electrode

Summary A metallic copper electrode housed in a suitable flowcell is shown to be a sensitive and versatile potentiometric detector for ion chromatography. This electrode may be used for direct or indirect detection of many inorganic anions and cations and also for organic acids. In the direct detection mode, electrode response is based on either complexation of copper ions at the electrode surface by eluted species, or on oxidation and reduction reactions for eluted species which are strong oxidants or reductants. Direct detection is therefore applicable to such species as amino acids, organic acids, chloride, bromide, iodide, chlorate, bromate and iodate. Indirect detection is possible for anions which do not complex copper ions, provided a copper complexing ligand (such as phthalate) is used in the eluent; cations which complex this ligand are also detectable. Indirect detection may be used for species such as nitrite, nitrate, acetate, formate, succinate, benzoate, alkaline earth ions and transition metal ions. Electrode calibration relationships are discussed and sample separations are presented, together with some typical detection limits attainable in the direct and indirect detection modes.Presented in part at a National Symposium on Ion Chromatography, held at the University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia, Nov. 21, 1984.     

Cyclic voltammetry of copper in sodium hydroxide solutions

The cyclic voltammograms of the Cu electrode were, obtained in NaOH solution as a function of the voltage scanning rate, electrolyte concentration and voltage range. A correlation was made between three well-defined anodic peaks and their corresponding cathodic ones. The anodic peaks were found to correspond successively to the formation of a monolayer of Cu₂O, formation of a thick multilayer film of CuO and finally Cu₂O₃ upon which O₂ is evolved. It is suggested that CuO is formed from the oxidation of Cu₂O and/or direct oxidation of metallic copper.Below 0.1 M NaOH the ratio of anodic to cathodic charges was found to be about unity, indicating the quantitative reduction of solid oxidation products, while at higher alkali concentrations higher charge ratios were obtained due to increasing proportions of soluble reaction products.The behaviour of the copper electrode in NaOH was found to be quite complicated. Thus, no simple relations were found between the voltage scanning rate and both the peak current and peak potential or between the peak current and the alkali, concentration. Further work is needed to obtain a definitive explanation of this behaviour.     

Nanomagnetic sponges for the cleaning of works of art

This letter reports the synthesis and characterization of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles associated with chemical gels and their application to the conservation of cultural heritage. Magnetic nanoparticles, which are associated with acrylamide ethylene oxide polymers, produce a sponge that can be loaded with oil-in-water microemulsions, forming a magnetically responsive gel-like system and acting as a permanent hydrogel. The magnetic gel-like system can be used for specific applications in detergents or in the release of the loaded material. The system can be magnetically manipulated and cleaned from the loaded materials and then dried and reused for a different application. We report an important application of this new nanomagnetic responsive material in the field of cultural heritage conservation.     

Microstructure of metallic copper nanoparticles/metallic disc interface in metal–metal bonding using them

This paper describes a metal–metal bonding technique using metallic Cu nanoparticles prepared in aqueous solution. A colloid solution of metallic Cu particles with a size of 54 ± 15 nm was prepared by reducing Cu²⁺ (0.01 M (CH₃COO)₂Cu) with hydrazine (0.6 M) in the presence of stabilizers (5 × 10^?4 M citric acid and 5 × 10^?3 M cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) in water at room temperature in air. Discs made of metallic materials (Cu, Ni/Cu, or Ag/Ni/Cu) were successfully bonded under annealing at 400 °C and pressurizing at 1.2 MPa for 5 min in H₂ gas with help of the metallic Cu particle powder. Shear strength required for separating the bonded discs was 27.9 ± 3.9 for Cu discs, 28.1 ± 4.1 for Ni/Cu discs, and 13.8 ± 2.6 MPa for Ag/Ni/Cu discs. Epitaxial crystal growth promotes on the discs with a good matching for the lattice constants between metallic nanoparticles and metallic disc surfaces, which leads to strong bonding. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stripping voltammetry of copper and lead using gold electrodes modified with self-assembled monolayers

One problem associated with using bare solid metal electrodes, such as gold and platinum, in stripping analysis to determine heavy metal ions such as lead and copper ions in dilute solutions is that underpotential deposition (UPD) gives multiple stripping peaks in the analysis of mixtures. These peaks are often overlapped and cannot be conveniently used for analytical purposes. Bifunctional alkylthiols, such as 3-mercaptopropionic acid, with an ionizable group on the other terminal end of the thiol can form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the surface of the gold electrode. It is shown that such an SAM-modified gold electrode minimizes the UPD effects for the stripping analysis of lead and copper. The anodic peak potential shifts and the peak shape changes, indicating that the SAM changes the deposition and stripping steps of these heavy metal ions. Thus, the sensitivity levels for both single species and mixtures can be significantly improved for the conventional solid electrodes. The mechanism of the deposition reaction at the SAM-modified gold electrodes is discussed. Received: 29 May 1997 / Accepted: 24 June 1997     

Spectroscopic analysis of works of art using a single LIBS and pulsed Raman setup

A nanosecond pulsed laser setup has been optimized to perform laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and pulsed Raman spectroscopy measurements in the field of cultural heritage. Three different samples of artistic/architectural interest with different typologies have been analyzed. The results from the two techniques allowed the identification of the materials used in their manufacture or contaminating them, probably coming from atmospheric pollution and biological activity. No sampling and sample preparation was required before the measurements, and no visual or structural damage was observed. Depth profiling using LIBS was performed in one of the samples, providing elemental information along the different layers composing the object and covering its surface. The quality of the results and the rather short time needed for the measurements and for switching between techniques confirmed the instrument’s capabilities and specificity for dealing with objects of artistic or historical interest.     

Determination of copper in seawater by anodic stripping voltammetry

Copper in surface seawater has been determined using both hanging mercury drop and thin film electrodes. Total copper was found to be in the range 0.4–0.7 μg l^?1, and labile copper in the range 0.2–0.4 μg l^?1. Most of the copper present in seawater is complexed with or adsorbed on organic matter, and a smaller percentage is associated with inorganic colloids. Seawater contains both organic and inorganic compounds which will react with approximately 1×10^?8M added ionic copper. Because of the presence of the complexing agents, peak current-copper concentration calibration curves in seawater are non-linear, and care must be exercised in using spiked results in the calculation of the copper content. The thin film electrode (TFE) is more suitable than the hanging mercury drop electrode for determining copper in seawater, although the TFE results are more dependent on deposition potential, and suffer from interference by nickel if very negative deposition potentials are used.     

Unilateral NMR applied to the conservation of works of art

In conventional NMR, samples from works of art in sizes above those considered acceptable in the field of art conservation would have to be removed to place them into the bore of large superconducting magnets. The portable permanent-magnet-based systems, by contrast, can be used in situ to study works of art, in a noninvasive manner. One of these portable NMR systems, NMR-MOUSE®, measures the information contained in one pixel in an NMR image from a region of about 1 cm², which can be as thin as 2–3 µm. With such a high depth resolution, profiles through the structures of art objects can be measured to characterize the materials, the artists’ techniques, and the deterioration processes. A novel application of the technique to study a deterioration process and to follow up a conservation treatment is presented in which micrometer-thick oil stains on paper are differentiated and characterized. In this example, the spin–spin relaxation T ₂ of the stain is correlated to the iodine number and to the degree of cross-linking of the oil, parameters that are crucial in choosing an appropriate conservation treatment to remove them. It is also shown that the variation of T ₂ over the course of treatments with organic solvents can be used to monitor the progress of the conservation interventions. It is expected that unilateral NMR in combination with multivariate data analysis will fill a gap within the set of high-spatial-resolution techniques currently available for the noninvasive analysis of materials in works of art, where procedures to study the inorganic components are currently far more developed than those suitable for the study of the organic components.     

Determination of bismuth and copper using adsorptive stripping voltammetry couple with continuous wavelet transform

A new method is proposed for the determination of bismuth and copper in the presence of each other based on adsorptive stripping voltammetry of complexes of Bi(III)-chromazorul-S and Cu(II)-chromazorul-S at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Copper is an interfering element for the determination of Bi(III) because, the voltammograms of Bi(III) and Cu(II) overlapped with each other. Continuous wavelet transform (CWT) was applied to separate the voltammograms. In this regards, wavelet filter, resolution of the peaks and the fitness were optimized to obtain minimum detection limit for the elements. Through continuous wavelet transform Symlet4 (Sym4) wavelet filter at dilation 6, quantitative and qualitative analysis the mixture solutions of bismuth and copper was performed. It was also realized that copper imposes a matrix effect on the determination of Bi(III) and the standard addition method was able to cope with this effect. Bismuth does not have matrix effect on copper determination, therefore, the calibration curve using wavelet coefficients of CWT was used for determination of Cu(II) in the presence of Bi(III). The detection limits were 0.10 and 0.05 ng ml⁻¹ for bismuth and copper, respectively. The linear dynamic range of 0.1-30.0 and 0.1-32.0 ng ml⁻¹ were obtained for determination of bismuth in the presence of 24.0 ng ml⁻¹ of copper and copper in the presence of 24.0 ng ml⁻¹ of bismuth, respectively. The method was used for determination of these two cations in water and human hair samples. The results indicate the ability of method for the determination of these two elements in real samples.     

Identification and differentiation of dragon's blood in works of art using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Dragon's blood is a common but non-specific name for red-coloured resins that are produced by various plants, particularly exudations from plant species belonging to the genera Dracaena and Daemonorops. Although dragon's blood is mentioned in historic sources as a colourant, it has hardly ever been identified in real artworks. This paper reports the identification and discrimination of dragon's blood produced by Dracaena cinnabari, Dracaena draco as well as Daemonorops draco and Daemonorops micracantha by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) within the context of a routine analysis of binding media used in works of art. The detection of specific flavonoid marker compounds in both underivatised and methylated methanol extracts provided the first evidence for the use of dragon's blood from all four species in various works of art from the fifteenth to nineteenth centuries. Dragon's blood was mainly used as a red colourant in gold lacquers as well as translucent glazes and paints, e.g. in reverse-glass paintings (Hinterglasmalerei).