Identification of cellulosic fibres by FTIR spectroscopy - Thread and single fibre analysis by attenuated total reflectance

The accurate identification of fibres is of importance to conservators, allowing the most appropriate methods of treatment to be employed. This research has concentrated on the development Of an ATR FTIR (attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopic technique for the characterization of cellulosic (plant) fibres. Six species of fibre were examined, taken largely from the bast group (flax, hemp, jute and ramie), as well as cotton and sisal. Initially, unprocessed fibres were considered; subsequently, processed fibres from a variety of sources were examined. Peak intensity ratio techniques were employed to differentiate the fibre types on the basis of relative lignin content with respect to other cellular components. It was found that, for each of the species of fibre, the ratios fell within characteristic ranges.