Thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation pyrolysis - gas chromatography / mass spectrometry for the chemical characterisation of traditional and synthetic binders

A number of techniques have been
proposed and used for identifying the
various paint binders, adhesives and
coatings found in works of art.
However, none of these techniques
alone has been shown to provide
chemical characterization of both
fresh and old, traditional and synthetic
materials. Thermally assisted
hydrolysis and methylation-gas
chromatography-mass spectrometry
(THM-GCMS) has been used
previously in the analysis of traditional
oils, natural resins and freshly dried
alkyds. This article presents some of
the results of research, which aims to
assess thoroughly the potential of
THM-GCMS as an efficient, allround
technique for the detailed
analysis of a wide range of relevant
organic materials. It presents THMGCMS
results from the analysis of
standards, of paint samples from
Picasso’s Weeping Woman and
Duchamp’s Fountain and of an adhesive from an Egyptian sculpture. In addition, some comments and recommendations on THM-GCMS working procedures are provided.