Speakers
Description
Archival and library materials represent an invaluable cultural heritage, yet they are inherently vulnerable to both natural and accidental degradation. Preserving the structural and chemical integrity of paper, while mitigating ageing processes, remains a central challenge in the field of cultural heritage science. In this context, physical analytical techniques have been employed with two primary objectives: (i) the development of non-invasive diagnostic protocols capable of identifying early degradation signatures before irreversible damage occurs, and (ii) the assessment of consolidation and cleaning treatments aimed at slowing down the progression of paper ageing.
Raman spectroscopy provides detailed information on the chemical and structural composition of materials. When coupled with confocal microscopy, it enables not only high-resolution morphological observation but also the acquisition of spatially resolved spectral maps, thereby significantly enhancing diagnostic capabilities. As a light–matter interaction technique, Raman spectroscopy requires no physical contact with the sample, making it inherently non-destructive and particularly well suited for fragile substrates such as paper.
In recent years, we have developed a diagnostic protocol based on spectroscopic indices derived from Raman signatures, capable of independently tracking the evolution of oxidative and hydrolytic degradation processes in paper. This methodology has been applied to a variety of case studies, including the evaluation of the conservation state of books from different historical periods, as well as the assessment of innovative cleaning and consolidation treatments, such as hydrogels, UV and EUV irradiation, and graphene-based materials.
These results highlight the potential of surface-scanning Raman spectroscopy and confocal optical microscopy as robust, non-invasive tools for monitoring degradation pathways and supporting advanced conservation strategies for archival and library collections.