Structure: Degradation and Characterization of Cultural Heritage Lab (DeCa BC), Department of Chemistry
Person in charge: Prof. Paola Fermo
The analyses are aimed at studying the effects of atmospheric pollution on Cultural Heritage, ranging from the characterization of materials, to the analysis of deterioration products, to the study of indoor environmental conditions.
Characterization of materials
Materials which can be analyzed include: mortars, lacquered, glazed and polished ceramics, glasses, pigments used in frescoes or on boards, organic binders, paper documents.
Techniques and tools:
- elemental analysis (ICP-OES, AAS, ETAAS)
- FT-IR infrared spectroscopy (including ATR) and micro-IR
- thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
- analysis by electron microscope coupled with EDX energy dispersion analysis (SEM-EDX)
- ion chromatography (IC)
- high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
- gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
Study of atmospheric particulate and black crusts
Techniques and tools:
- TOT (Thermal optical transmittance) analyzer
- CHN analyzer
- TOC (total organic carbon) analyzer
- ion chromatography (IC)
Study of air pollution in museum environments and places of worship
Multi-analytical approach, including:
- gravimetric determination of various fractions of atmospheric particulate;
- quantitative survey on filters for the identification of dust emission sources;
- determination of granulometric distribution of particles on 13 dimensional classes (from 10 μm up to 300 nm);
- evaluation of black carbon by microethalometer;
- determination of air temperature and humidity;
- determination of the main gaseous pollutants (NOx, O3, SO2).
Tools:
- PTS sampler (total suspended powders)
- DustMonit analyzer (Contec) which measures dust concentration up to PM1 as well as providing 13 granulometric classes (up to 300 nm)
- micro ethalometer (AE51 Magee Scientific) for the determination of black carbon
Thanks to the collaboration with other research institutions, available tools include:
- NanoScan (TSI) that measures particle concentration up to 10 nm
- SIILIS tool (Sphere-integrated LII Spectrocopy) which measures black carbon particles through laser glow