FTIR spectroscopy of biodegraded historical textiles

Fungal attack is a common and severe problem in the storage rooms of museums. Fungi can damage different materials; organic materials are especially sensitive. In this work two different FTIR spectroscopy methods (micro-spectroscopy with diamond anvil cell and ATR) were used to investigate structural changes on biodeteriorated and non-affected textile fibres obtained from different Slovene museums and sacred objects. Several structural changes were observed in spectra of biodeteriorated as well as of non-affected cellulosic fibres, whereas no changes were observed in proteinaceous fibres. In the scope of spectral analysis crystallinity index has also been calculated by comparing two different band ratios. The research showed that the crystallinity index, calculated from the band intensity ratio I₁₃₇₂/I₂₉₀₀ groups fibres into two groups; biodeteriorated fibres predominantly have lower crystallinity index.