Complementary analysis of historical glass by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA ICP MS) was used as a supporting method for elemental analysis of historical glass investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Investigated objects represent mainly late- and post-medieval glass objects (mostly Facon-de-Venise vessels and nuppenbechers), window glass and chandeliers from excavation in Elbląg, Poznan and Wroclaw (Poland) or museums’ historical collections. By applying LA ICP MS, it was possible to determine a number of elements which are present bellow the detection limit of SEM/EDS and to evaluate the homogeneity of investigated material. It was also possible to measure the content of boron in glass, the element which cannot be determined by SEM/EDS. Results obtained by SEM/EDS were used not only for routine screening of the glass composition, but also for the evaluation of the selection of standard reference materials for LA ICP MS measurements. A satisfactory correlation between the results for major and minor elements obtained by both applied methods was achieved with a complementary determination of trace elements (Hf, Zr, Sb, Rb, Ti and B) by means of LA ICP MS.