A combined Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)/UV-vis approach for the investigation of dye content in commercial felt tip pens inks

Daniela Saviello; Maddalena Trabace; Abeer Alyami; Antonio Mirabile; Rodorico Giorgi; Piero Baglioni; Daniela Iacopino

doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2018.01.049

A combined Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)/UV-vis approach for the investigation of dye content in commercial felt tip pens inks

Talanta. 2018 May 1:181:448-453. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.01.049. Epub 2018 Feb 3.

Authors

Daniela Saviello¹, Maddalena Trabace², Abeer Alyami¹, Antonio Mirabile², Rodorico Giorgi³, Piero Baglioni³, Daniela Iacopino⁴

Affiliations

¹ Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Dyke Parade, Cork, Ireland.
² Department of Chemistry & CSGI, University of Florence, Italy.
³ Mirabile, 11 Rue de Bellefond, 75009 Paris 09, France.
⁴ Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Dyke Parade, Cork, Ireland. Electronic address: daniela.iacopino@tyndall.ie.

PMID: 29426539
DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2018.01.049

Abstract

The development of protocols for the protection of the large patrimony of works of art created by felt tip pen media since the 1950's requires detailed knowledge of the main dyes constituting commercial ink mixtures. In this work Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and UV-vis spectroscopy were used for the first time for the systematic identification of dye composition in commercial felt tip pens. A large selection of pens comprising six colors of five different brands was analyzed. Intense SERS spectra were obtained for all colors, allowing identification of main dye constituents. Poinceau 4R and Eosin dyes were found to be the main constituents of red and pink colors; Rhodamine and Tartrazine were found in orange and yellow colors; Erioglaucine was found in green and blue colors. UV-vis analysis of the same inks was used to support SERS findings but also to unequivocally assign some uncertain dye identifications, especially for yellow and orange colors. The spectral data of all felt tip pens collected through this work were assembled in a database format. The data obtained through this systematic investigation constitute the basis for the assembly of larger reference databases that ultimately will support the development of conservation protocols for the long term preservation of modern art collections.

Keywords: Conservation; Dyes; Felt- tip pens; Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS); UV–vis analysis.