Technologies for Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage

The course provides the theoretical and practical foundations necessary to operate safely in a chemical laboratory and to understand the entire analytical process applied to the study, characterization, and treatment of materials. Topics covered include: • Proper laboratory behaviour, safety regulations, and consultation of chemical risk data sheets; • Basic laboratory instrumentation and operating principles; • Review of fundamental analytical chemistry concepts: pH, buffer solutions, solubility, redox and complexation reactions; • Analytical workflow: literature research, sampling, selection of the most appropriate analytical method and/or instrumental technique, analysis, data processing, presentation, and interpretation of experimental results; • Analytical techniques covered: UV-Vis spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), direct mercury analysis using an Advanced Mercury Analyzer (AMA), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), as well as introductory notions of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF); • Basic gravimetric and volumetric techniques. Laboratory Exercises Laboratory Exercise I • Volume measurement • Determination of liquid density • Identification of a liquid substance by density • Porosity measurements Laboratory Exercise II • Oxidizability of metallic materials • Identification of pigments Laboratory Exercise III • Preparation of standards with known concentration • Sample pre-treatment by acid digestion and dilution • Calibration of the pH meter and pH measurements

Good knowledge of Italian Language; College level knowledge of General Chemistry: atomic structure, chemical bonds, electronegativity, intermolecular forces, functional groups, and nomenclature

W.L. Masterton, C.N. Hurley Chimica. Principi e Reazioni Piccin Ed. A. Araneo Chimica analitica qualitativa Ambrosiana Milano Ed. Luigi Campanella, Antonella Casoli, Maria Perla Colombini, et al. Chimica per l'Arte Zanichelli Ed.

While attendance at lectures is optional, participation in laboratory exercises is strongly recommended, as the work carried out during these sessions constitutes a key part of the final assessment. Student engagement and participation in the lab sessions will be duly considered.

Students will have the opportunity to take two written mid-term tests, scheduled for mid-April and mid-May. If the student does not achieve a passing grade, or if they prefer, they may take an oral exam consisting of three questions, each covering a different topic from the syllabus.

The course consists of classroom lectures where the topics will be dealt with from a theoretical point of view and with numerical exercises and a relevant laboratory (single places - individual activity) part where the student can acquire good laboratory practice and develop that "analytical sensitivity" which is fundamental for the preparation and experimental execution of any chemical analysis.