Chemical and Physical Methods for the Cultural Goods Conservation

1. Elements of Physical Chemistry
1.1 Brief introduction to quantum mechanics as a logic prerequisite to properly comprehend spectroscopic techniques.
1.2 Chemical thermodynamics: first principle.; second principle. Phase equilibria. Chemical equilibria. Phase diagrams.
1.3. Principles of calorimetry. Isothermal and temperature scanning micro-calorimetry
1.4 Elements of Kinetics. Rate of Reaction, Order of Reaction; effect of temperature on the rate of reaction: Arrhenius and Eyring kinetic models.
2. Chemico-physical methods for the investigation of cultural heritage
2.1 Sampling criteria from artefacts.
2.2. IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy
2.2 X-ray based techniques (diffraction XRD, absorption spectroscopy XAS, fluorescence spectroscopy XRF and photoemission spectroscopy XPS).
2.3 Imaging techniques: MultiSpectral; Digital (RGB vs CMY); Trichrome in false color; IR imaging: reflectography and thermography.
3. Processes and evaluation of the aging of materials and artefacts.
3.1. Thermal aging: Kinetic methods for evaluating the life expectancy of cultural heritage and isopermic diagrams
3.2 Photochemical and chemical aging: Principle of reciprocity; Microdissolvency test; Weathering tests
4. Stability and conservation of materials and artifacts of cultural heritage
4.1 Stability and alteration of pigments and dyes
4.2 Processes of alteration and degradation of glass products and conservation methods
4.3 Stability and conservation of metal products. Elements of archaeometallurgy. Corrosion and protection of metal products.