Analytical pyrolysis in cultural heritage

Analytical pyrolysis (Py), especially when coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), is a powerful technique for the characterisation and identification of organic materials used in artwork. The thermal degradation of macromolecules (for example, resins, lacquers, proteins, polysaccharides, oils, modern synthetic polymers, etc. ) using heat (thermal energy) generates smaller molecules (pyrolysis products) which are easier to identify and study. Some of these pyrolysis products are molecular markers allowing the identification of a specific material despite the sample's complexity. A micro-sample (50-100 μg) is destroyed during the analysis but the lack of sample preparation makes Py-GC-MS a very attractive technique with a much reduced analytical time and cost compared to other chromatographic methods. Analytical pyrolysis (Py), especially when coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), is a powerful technique for the characterisation and identification of organic materials used in artwork.