Instrumental analysis in cultural heritage

COURSE IN PORTUGUESE JUSTIFICATION: Restorers often need the support of chemical analysis of paintings present in cultural property, whether in movable or immovable property. At this moment they ask themselves: what type of analysis do I need to carry out? This course will present the main instrumental techniques to guide professionals who need this demand, optimizing time, resources and avoiding requesting analyzes that are often unnecessary. CONTENT Class 1 - Introduction to chemistry applied to cultural heritage and instrumental methods of analysis. Classes 2 and 3 - Vibrational spectroscopy: infrared and Raman – Fundamentals of techniques, main functional groups found in molecules that make up paints. – Practical examples of application of techniques in paintings. Limitations, advantages and disadvantages. Classes 4 and 5 - Chromatographic Methods: High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography – Fundamentals of techniques, uses in the identification of organic materials present in paintings. – Practical examples of technique applications in historical paintings. Class 6 - X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDS): technique fundamentals and application in pigment analysis. Class 7 - Examples of the use of XRF and SEM-EDS in the analysis of historical paintings. In-depth discussion of some technique and/or practical examples. Class 8 - Conclusions Note: Course recorded in 2022 with the participation of students