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Advanced Characterization Approaches Applied to the Field of Cultural Heritage: From Conservation to Divulgation

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Materials Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 2061

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mario J. Muñoz Batista

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva, s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: catalysis; kinetics; materials characterization; photocatalysis; waste valorization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ana Isabel Calero-Castillo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva, s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
Interests: conservation; restauration; wallpainting; analysis of pigments

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

Characterizing cultural goods is an open line of research with many challenges to solve. The complexity and deterioration of the materials used, the lack of knowledge of the oldest preparation protocols, and the loss of traditional recipes greatly hinder the interpretation of the results obtained by the characterization techniques.

Traditional characterization methods (i.e., XRD, FTIR) for these kinds of patrimonial structures, on which any alteration is undesirable, can be considered destructive and are based on the use of extracted micro-samples. In addition, innovative methodologies have been gradually incorporated into this field, providing relevant and respectful heritage information. Computational models, digital image processing, and the technological development of high-resolution portable equipment have reported new characterization approaches.

This Special Issue aims to present recent advances in the utilization of material characterization techniques that can provide information for the knowledge, conservation, and dissemination of heritage, from traditional techniques that include chemical, morphological, electronic, and optical characterization to the most innovative methodologies based on non-destructive or microinvasive techniques.

We kindly invite you to submit manuscripts for this Special Issue. Full papers, communications, perspectives, and reviews are all welcome.

The proposed topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Chromatographic methods.
  • Spectroscopic techniques.
  • Microscopy.
  • Non- and micro-destructive techniques.
  • Portable instrumentation.
  • Computational modelling.
  • Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage.
  • Digital image processing.
  • All characterization methods or methodologies applied to heritage.

Dr. Mario J. Muñoz Batista
Dr. Ana Isabel Calero-Castillo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • characterization
  • non-invasive techniques
  • cultural heritage
  • microscopy
  • micro-invasive techniques
  • pigments
  • binders
  • heritage
  • archaeological site

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 8088 KiB  
Article
The Red Backgrounds of Wall Paintings from Isturgi and Cástulo (Jaen, Spain): A Multi-Technique Approach to Understanding and Improving Their State of Conservation
by A. I. Calero-Castillo, T. López-Martínez, M. Calero and M. J. Muñoz-Batista
Materials 2025, 18(7), 1533; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18071533 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 294
Abstract
This contribution presents a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses contextualization, photographic, and graphic documentation, as well as a comprehensive characterization scheme focusing on the morphological, chemical, structural, and electronic aspects of the red panels from two significant archeological sites: Cástulo and Isturgi. The red [...] Read more.
This contribution presents a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses contextualization, photographic, and graphic documentation, as well as a comprehensive characterization scheme focusing on the morphological, chemical, structural, and electronic aspects of the red panels from two significant archeological sites: Cástulo and Isturgi. The red panels, which constitute the predominant component of the paintings, are indicative of their conservation state and were characterized using various techniques, including several microscopies tools, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The characterization scheme revealed significant structural differences in the paintings, with hematite present in the samples from Isturgi and both hematite- and lead-containing components being observed in those from Cástulo. The organic components are primarily associated with the use of Paraloid during the extraction of the paintings. Notable differences related to the encrustations of carbonate species are also observed, which are more prominent in the paintings from Cástulo. The results enable a discussion of their state of deterioration and the identification of future lines of action for their conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization Approaches Applied to the Field of Cultural Heritage: From Conservation to Divulgation)
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19 pages, 12003 KiB  
Article
On-Site Identification of Corrosion Products and Evaluation of the Conservation Status of Copper Alloy Artworks Using a Portable Raman Spectrometer
by Heehong Kwon and Leeyun Kim
Materials 2025, 18(5), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18050924 - 20 Feb 2025
Viewed by 460
Abstract
Copper alloys form various corrosion products such as sulfides and chlorides. Chlorides can cause severe structural damage in ‘bronze disease’, making the early identification of corrosion products and conservation treatment important tasks. In this study, standard spectra were established for nine minerals of [...] Read more.
Copper alloys form various corrosion products such as sulfides and chlorides. Chlorides can cause severe structural damage in ‘bronze disease’, making the early identification of corrosion products and conservation treatment important tasks. In this study, standard spectra were established for nine minerals of corrosion products using a portable Raman spectrometer, and their identification was verified by comparing them with benchtop micro-Raman spectra. The main characteristic bands were detected for most corrosion products, and the in situ applicability of the portable Raman spectrometer was demonstrated. However, for some samples, the signal-to-noise ratio was low, while the main characteristic peaks were still identifiable. In particular, dicopper chloride trihydroxides (such as atacamite and clinoatacamite) were clearly distinguished as corrosion products whose early identification is crucial. After the on-site analysis of copper alloy artworks exposed to outdoor environments for over 30 years, corrosion products such as malachite, brochantite, and moolooite were detected, indicating that portable Raman spectrometers are an effective tool for diagnosing conservation conditions. This study demonstrates that portable Raman spectrometers can be effectively used to identify corrosion products and assess the conservation state of copper alloy artworks and are expected to make significant contributions to future conservation and restoration efforts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization Approaches Applied to the Field of Cultural Heritage: From Conservation to Divulgation)
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14 pages, 2827 KiB  
Article
The Coloring Mechanism of Opaque Glazes from the Changsha Kiln of the Tang Dynasty
by Lala Jia, Maolin Zhang, Yongqiang Yu, Zihan Li and Yongbin Yu
Materials 2024, 17(23), 5803; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235803 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 917
Abstract
The Changsha Kiln of the Tang Dynasty was a major site for celadon production, yet the mechanisms behind the unique coloring of its opaque glazes remain inadequately explored. Prior research has largely focused on the general composition of these glazes, with limited understanding [...] Read more.
The Changsha Kiln of the Tang Dynasty was a major site for celadon production, yet the mechanisms behind the unique coloring of its opaque glazes remain inadequately explored. Prior research has largely focused on the general composition of these glazes, with limited understanding of the specific processes contributing to their distinct visual characteristics. This gap in knowledge hinders efforts to accurately replicate these historical glazes and fully appreciate their technological significance. In this study, we analyze the chemical composition and microstructure of opaque glaze specimens from the Changsha Kiln using advanced techniques such as EDXRF, SEM-EDS, and ultra-deep field microscopy. Our findings reveal that the opaque glazes are high-calcium compositions where phase separation and the presence of coloring ions like Cu2+, Cu+, and Fe3+ play critical roles in determining the glaze’s color. The interplay between chemical coloring and phase separation processes is shown to produce the distinct blue-green and creamy white hues observed in the glazes. These results provide a deeper understanding of the coloring mechanisms in Changsha Kiln glazes, contributing to the broader field of ceramic research and aiding in the preservation and accurate reproduction of these historic artifacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization Approaches Applied to the Field of Cultural Heritage: From Conservation to Divulgation)
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