Odlhya, M.; Theodorakopoulos, C.; Groot, J.; Bozec, L.; Horton, M.; “Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR) and Scanning Probe Microscopy of Parchment”, e-Preservation Science 6 (2009) 138-144
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Abstract:
This paper describes the application of Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) together with Scanning Probe Microscopy (atomic force microscopy and micro-thermal analysis) on accelerated aged and archival parchment samples. Damage assessment by ATR-FTIR of collagen, the main constituent of parchment, was based on spectral changes in collagen, in particular within the amide I carbonyl stretching region.
This is known to be sensitive to changes in the triple helical structure of collagen. Damage assessment by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was based on changes in the periodic D spacing of the collagen fibrils. Measurements made on the same samples showed that in damaged samples there was partial and eventually complete loss in the D spacing of the collagen fibrils. This was particularly evident in accelerated aged samples subjected to pollutant gas (SO2). Micro-thermal analysis (micro-TA) of the same regions of parchment showed differences in the thermal behaviour on the micron-scale. The observed transitions occurred over a broader temperature range with increase in damage. In addition the same parchment samples were subjected to controlled environment testing using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). This revealed that damage in parchment had an effect on its dimensional response to increase in RH; the more damaged samples showed a lower response to changes in RH than the less damaged. So damage at the nano-scale, as indicated by AFM, can be related to changes observed at the macro-scale, as indicated by mechanical testing, and this influences the response of parchment to RH.
This paper describes the application of Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) together with Scanning Probe Microscopy (atomic force microscopy and micro-thermal analysis) on accelerated aged and archival parchment samples. Damage assessment by ATR-FTIR of collagen, the main constituent of parchment, was based on spectral changes in collagen, in particular within the amide I carbonyl stretching region.
This is known to be sensitive to changes in the triple helical structure of collagen. Damage assessment by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was based on changes in the periodic D spacing of the collagen fibrils. Measurements made on the same samples showed that in damaged samples there was partial and eventually complete loss in the D spacing of the collagen fibrils. This was particularly evident in accelerated aged samples subjected to pollutant gas (SO2). Micro-thermal analysis (micro-TA) of the same regions of parchment showed differences in the thermal behaviour on the micron-scale. The observed transitions occurred over a broader temperature range with increase in damage. In addition the same parchment samples were subjected to controlled environment testing using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). This revealed that damage in parchment had an effect on its dimensional response to increase in RH; the more damaged samples showed a lower response to changes in RH than the less damaged. So damage at the nano-scale, as indicated by AFM, can be related to changes observed at the macro-scale, as indicated by mechanical testing, and this influences the response of parchment to RH.
