Identification of Cellulosic Fibres by FTIR Spectroscopy I: Thread and Single Fibre Analysis by Attenuated Total Reflectance

The ability to accurately identify fibres is of importance to conservators, allowing the most appropriate methods of treatment to be employed. Our research has concentrated on the development of an ATR FT-IR spectroscopic technique for the characterisation of cellulosic (plant) fibres. Six species of fibre were examined, taken largely from the bast group (flax, hemp, jute and ramie), along with cotton and sisal. Initially, unprocessed fibres were considered; subsequently, processed fibres from a variety of sources were examined. Peak intensity ratio techniques were employed to differentiate the fibre types on the basis of relative lignin content with respect to other cellular components. It was found that for each of the species of fibre, the ratios fell within characteristic ranges.