SEM EDS

Για τις  ανάγκες της κατανόησης των υλικών κατασκευής των ρωμαϊκών λουτρών Δερβενίου Κορινθίας, λήφθησαν συνολικά 31 δείγματα από 21  σημεία ενδιαφέροντος από 9 διαφορετικούς χώρους του κτιρίου. Αυτά περιελάμβαναν  δείγματα συνδετικού κονιάματος τοιχοποιίας, κονιαμάτων επιχρίσματος τοίχων,  επιτοίχιου λίθου (ορθομαρμάρωση), χυτού κονιάματος (opus caementicium), επιδαπέδιων κεραμικών αγωγών, λίθινες καλυπτρίδες επιδαπέδιων αγωγών, κεραμικού tubuli,  κεραμικού υλικού και συνδετικού κονιάματος από στυλίσκους (pilae) των υπόκαυστων, επιδαπέδιου κονιάματος, λίθινης επιδαπέδιας πλάκας και δείγματα από τη στρωματογραφία του μοναδικού ψηφιδωτού του χώρου. Μετά την επιτόπια φωτογραφική τεκμηρίωση και κωδικοποίηση των σημείων δειγματοληψίας, τα δείγματα φωτογραφήθηκαν και μελετήθηκαν με οπτική μικροσκοπία. Στη συνέχεια διενεργήθηκαν αναλύσεις με Φθορισμομετρία Ακτίνων-Χ (XRF) για το χημικό χαρακτηρισμό τους, Περιθλασιμετρία Ακτίνων-Χ (XRD) για την ορυκτολογική τους μελέτη, και Ηλεκτρονικό Μικροσκόπιο Σάρωσης με Φασματόμετρο Ενεργειακής Διασποράς Ακτίνων Χ (SEΜ-EDS) για τη μελέτη της μικροτοπογραφίας τους. Από τη μελέτη προέκυψαν στοιχεία για τη στρωματογραφία των κονιαμάτων επιχρίσματος των εσωτερικών και εξωτερικών τοίχων, τη στρωματογραφία και τεχνολογία κατασκευής του ψηφιδωτού, την τεχνολογία κατασκευής των συνδετικών κονιαμάτων και των χυτών κονιαμάτων, και τη σύσταση των κεραμικών οικοδομικών υλικών και των λίθων που απαντώνται στο μνημείο. Τα αποτελέσματα συμβάλλουν στη μεγαλύτερη κατανόηση της τεχνολογίας κατασκευής των δημόσιων λουτρών της ύστερης ρωμαϊκής περιόδου στην Πελοποννήσο, ενώ θα συμβάλλουν καθοριστικά στις προγραμματισμένες επεμβάσεις καθαρισμού, στερέωσης και συμπλήρωσης για την in situ  αποκατάσταση και έκθεση του μνημείου.

For the purposes of understanding the construction materials of the Derveni Roman Baths in Corinthia, Greece, 31 samples were collected from 21 sampling points in 9 different rooms of the archaeological site. These included masonry mortars, wall plastering, wall cladding, cast mortars (opus caementicium), ceramic floor pipes, covers of floor pipes, ceramic tubuli, ceramic material and binding mortars from the pilae of the hypocausts, floor mortar, stone floor tiles, and samples of the stratigraphy of the only mosaic of the site. After in situ photographic documentation and coding of the samples, the latter were photographed and examined by optical microscopy. Other techniques employed were X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for chemical classification, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for the mineralogical study, and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) for the study of their microtopography. The study revealed information on the stratigraphy of the plaster coatings of the interior and exterior walls, the stratigraphy and construction technique of the mosaic, the manufacture technique of the cast mortars and the binding mortars, and the composition of ceramic building materials and stones found in the monument. The results contribute to the greater understanding of the construction technology of public baths of the late Roman period in the Peloponnese, and will contribute to the decision making regarding the scheduled cleaning, consolidation and filling for the in situ conservation and exhibition of the monument.

John La Farge (1835–1910) is regarded as an innovator of American interior decoration. His materials and techniques successfully created unique and eye-catching effects across the interior surfaces of monumental buildings. The recent conservation treatment of the Newport Congregational Church in Newport, Rhode Island afforded the opportunity to perform the first comprehensive analysis of one such painted interior. Materials analyses of the media and pigments were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). In addition, reconstructions of La Farge’s medium were prepared based on a number of available archival paint recipes in order to further inform the analysis and to help develop a better understanding of the materials La Farge likely used for specific passages and colors. The results of the project suggest that La Farge primarily...

This paper presents the analytical characterisation of a series of paintings authored by Giorgio Marini (1836-1905) from the Museum of Évora. Marini was an Italian painter who lived in Portugal in the 19 th century. He was a very prolific painter and his works, most of them portraits commissioned by urban and rural bourgeois and noble elites, are dispersed all over the country. The general good conservation state of most paintings prevented the collection of micro-samples for detailed study. Hence, material identification of the painting materials was performed primarily by XRF, given its non-destructive and non-invasive nature, and it was complemented when possible by auxiliary techniques optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX. Pigments and fillers such as yellow and red ochre, lead white, zinc white, barium white, chrome yellow and green chrome are among the identified pigments. This is the first time the palette used by Giorgio Marini was identified, helping to chara...

ABSTRACT We conducted an identification of a substance isolated from a T-shaped ornamental element excavated from a Globular Amphora Culture tomb at the Kowal 14 archaeological site in Poland. 14C dating indicated 4105 ± 35 bp (POZ-21912) and 3990 ± 50 bp (POZ-21910). Analytical methods such as SEM–EDS, XRD and FT–IR were applied to study the origin of its structure. The results of instrumental analysis and the archaeological context indicate that the adhesive substance investigated consists mainly of calcium carbonate (calcite, 78–88%), silica dioxide (quartz), sodium aluminium silicate (albite) and potassium aluminium silicate (microcline). The material might be a man-made, mineral adhesive, a kind of lime mortar. The object is considered as the oldest European finding of this type outside the Mediterranean Basin. It provides evidence for the use of the lime calcination process in Central Europe as early as in the Late Neolithic, for which there were—up to now—no convincing premises.

Abrasive wear is one of the most common types of wear, which makes abrasive wear resistance very important in many industries. The hardfacing is considered as useful and economical way to improve the performance of components submitted to severe abrasive wear conditions, with wide range of applicable filler materials. The abrasive wear resistance of the three different hardfaced coatings (two iron-based and one WC-based), which were intended to be used for reparation of the impact plates of the ventilation mill, was investigated and compared. Abrasive wear tests were carried-out by using the scratch tester under the dry conditions. Three normal loads of 10, 50 and 100 N and the constant sliding speed of 4 mm/s were used. Scratch test was chosen as a relatively easy and quick test method. Wear mechanism analysis showed significant influence of the hardfaced coatings structure, which, along with hardness, has determined coatings abrasive wear resistance.

Biochar was synthesized from biomass (jatropha seeds) through a low microwave pyrolysis temperature of 180 °C with microwave power of 2kW. A ball milling process reduced the jatropha seed biochar size and converted it into micro-nano carbon biofiller. After ball milling, the biochar size was reduced from 1 to 3 mm to the 10 µm to 600 nm range, which is around a 90% reduction in size. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis were used to determine the jatropha seed biofillers properties with respect to the ball milling processes. BET results revealed increasing surface area from 0.10 to 3.67 m2/g, and EDS results revealed the elemental composition of the jatropha seed biofillers. The carbon mass percentage increased from 72.6 to 81.2%. Both results were after ball milling for 30 hours. The FTIR results revealed an increase in transmittance intensity and som...

The effect of a high frequency alternating magnetic field on HeLa tumour cells incubated with ferromagnetic nanoparticles of manganese oxide perovskite La0.56(SrCa)0.22MnO3 have been studied. The particles were subjected to a size selection process and coated with silica to improve their biocompatibility. The control assays made with HeLa tumour cells showed that cell survival and growth rate were not affected by the particle internalization in cells, or by the electromagnetic field on cells without nanoparticles. However, the application of an alternating electromagnetic field to cells incubated with this silica coated manganese oxide induced a significant cellular damage that finally lead to cell death by an apoptotic mechanism. Cell death is triggered even thought the temperature increase in the cell culture during the hyperthermia treatment is lower than 0.5 C.

In 2008, a medieval wooden shipwreck was discovered at the port of Rhodes, Greece. The shipwreck was party burned, presenting a challenge for conservators, as uncharred, semi-charred and charred waterlogged wood were often encountered on the same piece of timber. In seeking the most appropriate conservation method for this unusual material, its chemical characterization was considered necessary. This study examined the chemistry of the three dominant wood conditions found in the wreck. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were implemented in comparison to reference samples. Energy dispersive analysis was also used for assessing the inorganic composition of each condition. Moreover, for charred and semi-charred wood, proximate analysis was undertaken. Results obtained regarding the organic moieties of the waterlogged archaeological material, demonstrated that charred samples were chemically comparable to charcoals, semi-charred material showed simila...

Abstract The Spanish team that leads a research project at Saruq al Hadid excavated an area where about 450 gold items were recovered during the campaigns from 2015 to 2017. The site with a lengthy occupation from the end of the fourth millennium to the Islamic period is well known for its important finds attesting copper metallurgy production during Iron Age II. Other rich archaeological finds in iron, stone and pottery, in some cases showing a snake iconography, point to a ceremonial place where production processes and exchanges took place. We present an archaeometric study of a significative sample of the gold items found at the site using OM (Optical Microscopy) and SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy). Our provisional results suggest the existence of a workshop -the first archaeologically attested at the Arabian Peninsula- where lost wax casting and plastic deformation were usual practices, together with other goldwork techniques like polychrome alloying, filigree and granulation. Evidence of the production processes were workshop wastes and raw material, although no associated archaeological structures could be identified.

Contemporary self-etch and multi-mode adhesives were introduced to ensure a fast and reliable bonding procedure. Yet, in terms of bond strength and stability they failed to perform as well as two-bottle, etch-and-rinse adhesives, which remain the gold standard in terms of durability. The purpose of this study was to assess the shear bond strength (SBS) of dental adhesives to dentin with different application protocols. Two self-etch (Adper Easy One and Xeno V) and two multi-mode adhesives (Single Bond Universal and Prime&Bond One Select) were used in the study. The highest SBS was obtained for Single Bond Universal applied in three layers, while the lowest, for Xeno V applied in one layer. Other tested adhesives obtained the highest SBS when applied in three layers. For all tested adhesives, multi-layer application resulted in an increase in adhesive layer thickness, as observed in SEM. The increased thickness of the adhesive layer produced by triple application of unfilled adhesive...

ABSTRACT During the last restoration (2008–2011) of the polychrome terracotta altarpiece called Coronation of Virgin between Saints Rocco, Sebastian, Peter martyr and Antonio abbot, located in the collegiate church of S. Maria Assunta in Montecassiano (Macerata, Italy), scientific investigations were carried out to acquire detailed information about the painting technique. The identification of materials allowed a correct restoration. The altarpiece is almost entirely realized by Marco della Robbia (Fra Mattia), dates back to the first half of the XVI century and represents an interesting example of painted terracotta produced by using two different techniques: glazed polychrome terracotta and the “cold painting” technique. The characterization of the samples’ material constituents was obtained by analysing the cross-sections and the fragments by different techniques (optical, SEM-EDS and ATR-FTIR microscopy as well as GC-MS), as the real nature of a component is often difficult to assess with one single technique. The optical microscope examination of paint cross-sections shows the presence of many layers, indicating the complexity of the paint stratigraphic morphologies. The original polychromy of della Robbia’s masterpiece is constituted of cinnabar, red lake, red lead, orpiment, red ochre, lead white, lead tin yellow, green earth and raw umber. Two different types of gilding technique have been distinguished. The first one presents a glue mordant, and the second one shows an oil mordant composed by a mixture of red lead, red ochre, cinnabar and orpiment. The GC-MS analysis allowed the characterisation of linseed oil and a mixture of animal glue and egg as binding media stratigraphically located by the use of ATR-FTIR mapping microscopy. The analytical results of the painted terracotta integrated investigations show that original technique adopted is characterised by the application of pigments in an oil-binding medium directly applied on the substrates, probably treated with oil and animal glue. A large number of overpaintings above the original scheme of polychromy was found, which could be ascribed to almost three different interventions; the absence of modern pigments suggests that they could be realized long ago.

In the present work, an archaeometric approach was used to investigate a sample of the functional tools collected from the Sąspow, Cracow district, and Wierzbica ‘Zele’, Radom district, flint mines sites. The investigated collection was completed on four non-use-worn specimens. The presence of areas enriched in iron (Fe) compounds has been noticed on the surfaces of all the specimens. They were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray analysis system (EDS). Data sets were statistically evaluated using similarity analysis (DA, CA, MDS). The results indicated the variables that best discriminate the investigated flint artifacts collection in terms of either anthropoghenic or non-anthropoghenic nature of the residues preserved on their surfaces.

The aim of this paper is to discuss technological details of medieval jewellery on the basis of studies on five lunulas (the Obra Nowa hoard, Poland). The types of soldering which were applied in order to attach granules and wire to the artefacts surface were studied with the use of optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, micro-Raman spectroscopy and XRD. Results confirmed the use of chemical soldering that was based on Cu compounds with resin glue addition. The use of such addition can be assumed due to the fact that C was detected in the solder. The presence of Pb together with Ca, P, Al, and Si in the soldering region is related to the use of litharge as a solder mixture component.

This paper presents the analytical characterisation of a series of paintings authored by Giorgio Marini (1836-1905) from the Museum of Évora. Marini was an Italian painter who lived in Portugal in the 19 century. He was a very prolific painter and his works, most of them portraits commissioned by urban and rural bourgeois and noble elites, are dispersed all over the country. The general good conservation state of most paintings prevented the collection of micro-samples for detailed study. Hence, material identification of the painting materials was performed primarily by XRF, given its non-destructive and non-invasive nature, and it was complemented when possible by auxiliary techniques optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX. Pigments and fillers such as yellow and red ochre, lead white, zinc white, barium white, chrome yellow and green chrome are among the identified pigments. This is the first time the palette used by Giorgio Marini was identified, helping to characte...

ricevuto il 24 Febbraio 2013 Summary. — The adsorption energy of iron-phthalocyanine (FePc) deposited on different crystal surfaces is studied by thermal desorption spectroscopy. A thin film of molecules has been absorbed on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), on graphene epitaxially grown on Ir(111), and on Au(110). Activation energies for the desorption of a molecular thin film and for the FePc single layer are determined at the three surfaces. The desorption temperature measured for the thin films is only slightly dependent on the substrate, since it is mostly dominated by molecule-molecule interactions. A definitely different desorption temperature is found at the single-layer coverage: we find an increasing desorption temperature going from HOPG, to graphene/Ir, to the Au(110) surface. The different adsorption energies of the first FePc layer in contact with the substrate surface are discussed taking into account the interaction and the growth morphology. PACS 73.21.Ac –...

ABSTRACT Iron-phthalocyanine molecules self-assemble on the moiré pattern of graphene/Ir(111) as a flat and weakly interacting layer, as determined by core-level photoemission and absorption spectroscopy. The graphene buffer layer decouples the FePc two-dimensional structure from the underlying metal; the electronic structure of the FePc molecular macrocycles is preserved; and the Fe-L2,3 edges present narrower and slightly modified resonances at the FePc single-layer coverage with respect to a thin film. The FePc layer induces a slight electron doping to the Ir-supported graphene resulting in the Dirac cone position expected for an ideal free-standing-like graphene layer with the standard Fermi velocity.