ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy – parchment

ATR FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy is a valuable tool in the study of parchment and iron gall ink due to its ability to non-invasively analyze organic and inorganic compounds. For parchment, ATR FTIR helps identify collagen degradation and detect the presence of conservation treatments or additives like calcium carbonate. When applied to iron gall ink, it aids in characterizing the ink’s chemical components, including iron(II) sulfate, and other degradation products, such as oxalates. This technique provides insight into the materials’ historical context, degradation state, and helps guide conservation efforts. In this video lesson, we show examples of the acquisition and interpretation of ATR-FTIR spectra on parchments and iron gall ink.