Short Description
The Shimadzu single quadrupole GCMS-QP2020 NX gas chromatograph / mass spectrometer (GCMS) combined with the Shimadzu AOC-6000 Plus multifunctional autosampler on one line and the Frontier Lab EGA-PY3030D multi-shot pyrolyzer on a second line, with also other optional devices, allows a wide range of applications for the material investigation of art objects and air quality control in museum collections. Sampling of the material from the object is required, although a very tiny amount is enough for the measurements, which depending on the technique can range from few µg to 100 µg.
The AOC-6000 Plus multifunctional autosampler on one line allows different types of syringes injections into the GCMS-QP2020 NX such as:
- Liquid injection for analyzing the liquid into the vial.
- Headspace (HS) for analyzing the volatile constituents.
- Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for analyzing the volatile constituents.
The EGA-PY3030D multi-shot pyrolyzer (furnace temperature up to 1050 °C) with the Auto-Shot Sampler AS-2020E (continuous analyses of up to 48 samples) on a second line, enables the following methodologies:
- Single Shot (SS) analyses: pyrolysis of polymeric constituents.
- Double Shot (DS) analyses: two step analyses of one sample: 1) thermal desorption step for volatile constituents’ analyses and 2) pyrolysis of polymeric compounds.
- Evolved Gas Analyses (EGA): it provides the thermal profile of a sample.
- Selective Sampler (SS-2010E) for Heart Cut Evolved Gas Analyses MS (HC EGA-MS): the volatiles evolved from each and up to eight EGA thermal zones can be selectively introduced into the GC column and analyzed by GC/MS.
- Multifunctional Splitless (MFS-2015E): for the high sensitivity detection of trace pyrolyzates.
- Micro UV Irradiator (UV-1047Xe): rapid analyses of artificially accelerated light aged (Xe arc lamp) polymeric materials.
- Micro-Jet Cryo-Trap (MJT-2030E): cryogenic trap of volatile components.
Additionally, the DI-2010 Direct Sample Inlet Injection Device (max temp of 500 °C) allows the direct injection of only few µg of sample material into the ion source without passing through the GC.
Contact Person
Dr. Valentina Pintus, MSc.
Research Services
The Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK) and the Core Facility "Centre for Material Sciences in Art and Conservation (ZMKK)" are central facilities of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna for the natural scientific (material) analysis of works of art. The facilities support members of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna or other research institutions, museums, libraries, archives, etc. in the realisation of joint projects within the framework of research funding or contract research and also offers services (third-party funding) for external parties.
The focus is on scientific material analyses of artworks and archive materials using FTIR, Raman, XRF, UV-Vis, HSI, RSI, ESEM (EDX), GC/MS, Py-GC/MS, digital X-ray radiography and photo documentation (Vis, UV, IR, IRR), microscopy, chambers for accelerated ageing of samples.
Special services with the single quadrupole GCMS-QP2020 NX gas chromatograph / mass spectrometer (GCMS):
- Analyses of modern and contemporary art materials such as plastics, coatings, adhesives, paint binders, paint colours, additives, etc but also bio-plastics.
- Analyses of traditional artistic materials such as drying oils, animal glues, natural resins, Asian
lacquers, gums, etc.
- Quality air control in indoor museum collections through the analyses of VOCs.
- Evaluation of emission gases from artistic materials as a tool for understanding the
ageing and degradation degree.
Methods & Expertise for Research Infrastructure
Identification and characterization of several and different important organic materials found in historical, modern, and contemporary works of art (paintings, sculptures, wood-based objects, plastics, foams, etc.).