Analysis of the Surface of Historic Fabric from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum after Treatment with Ethanol Mist Used to Eliminate Microorganisms Harmful to Human Health.

Abstract

the aim of the work was to present the changes occurring on the model and historical cotton surface of cotton resulting from disinfection with 90% ethanol mist. Samples of historical materials consisted of fabric elements from suitcases stored in A-BSM. A mist of 90% ethanol was applied for 15 s at a distance of 16 cm from the surface. The spectra of cotton samples before and after ethanol application were recorded using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR). Analyses of the surface layers were performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). the decontamination performed did not show any significant differences in the chemical composition and surface structure of cotton before and after the use of 90% ethanol mist. Ethanol mist, which eliminates microorganisms from the historical surface, does not cause significant changes to the surface of historical objects.