ATR-FT-IR spectroscopy in the region of 550–230 cm−1 for identification of inorganic pigments

A comprehensive study of ATR-FT-IR spectra of 40 inorganic pigments of different colours widely used in historical paintings has been carried out in the low wave number spectral range (550–230 cm−1). The infrared spectra were recorded from mixtures of pigment and linseed oil. It is demonstrated that this spectral range – essentially devoid of absorption peaks of the common binder materials – can be well used for identification of inorganic pigments in paint samples thereby markedly extending the possibilities of pigment identification/confirmation by ATR-IR spectroscopy into the realm of pigments having no absorptions in the mid-IR region. In some cases the method can be used alone for pigment identification and in many cases it provides useful additional evidence for pigment identification using other instrumental techniques (electron microprobe analysis, XRF, optical microscopy). Together with earlier work this study provides a comprehensive overview of the pigment identification possibilities using ATR-FT-IR as well as a collection of reference spectra and is expected to be a useful reference for conservation practitioners.