Removable Substrate for Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for the Study of Pigments from the Colonial Era

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy detects the vibrations of a molecule that scatters light inelastically (Raman scattering, with an occurrence of 1 in 108 scattered photons for this phenomenon to be generated). Its characteristics of high molecular specificity, semi-destructive nature, and ability to perform in situ analysis provide it with great versatility for the analysis of works of historical value [1]. It has been used successfully in the analysis of historical paints to identify pigments, dyes, and organometallic complexes [2, 3]. However, organic molecules often produce the fluorescence phenomenon that analytically overlaps the analyte signal due to the longer extinction time compared to Raman scattering [4, 5]. A technique developed to avoid the generation of the fluorescence phenomenon and the risk of carbonization or alteration of the sample during the analysis, is Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)