Development of a methodology for the interpretation of energy dispersive x‑ray fluorescence spectra (EDXRF): analysis of a set of reference pigments and study of its elementaL composition

Main Article Content

Sandra Saraiva
António João Cruz
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6396-5027
Ana Calvo
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4372-5434

Abstract

One of the major analytical techniques used in the identification of pigments is the energy dispersive X‑ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). Its relevance aroused the interest in the development of a methodology for interpreting EDXRF spectra that allows minimization of the main problems arising from its application to the study of works of art within the Conservation context. As a first approach, a set of 74 spectra of pigments is presented, which becomes thus available for reference, who show many spectra with significant differences between what was expected and what actually occurs. In addition to discussing the major cases in this situation, is still called attention to others that, in an event of real analysis of a work of art, probably originate misinterpretation.

Keywords: EDXRF, Pigments, Standards, Spectra, Impurities

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