Raman spectroscopy for the investigation of carbon-based black pigments

Raman spectroscopic studies of carbonaceous materials are, until now, mainly devoted to geological and industrial materials. On the other hand, it is known from artistic literature that many varieties of carbon-based black pigments were produced and used in different places and times, and according to the artist’s preferences. The ability of Raman spectroscopy to analyse particles down to 1μm and its non-destructiveness make it an ideal tool for pigments investigation. Anyway, the discrimination among different types of carbon-based black pigments is affected by various aspects, one of which is the lack of reference spectra as well as of specific nomenclature. In this paper, reference materials have been studied by means of Raman spectroscopy to provide reference spectra. All the pigments showed two broad bands of carbon, but sometimes specific excitation conditions were required to record a good quality Raman spectrum. The obtained Raman signatures are discussed, on the basis of the specificities of the pigment (natural or artificial origin; structural implications related to the raw materials used or to production processes; etc.). Therefore, on the basis of the Raman spectra of painting materials, further knowledge can be obtained on the type of carbon-based black pigments in works of art. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.