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The existence of historical pigments databases is important to speed up cultural heritage research. Knowledge of their chemical composition and their manufacture contributes to the study of art history and helps develop accurate conservation-restoration strategies. In this study, a total of nineteen pigments, among which we find silicates (Egyptian blue, natural and synthetic blue ultramarine, green earth and chrysocolla), oxides (natural and synthetic hematite, red and yellow natural ochres, and chromium green), carbonates (natural and synthetic azurite, natural and synthetic malachite, and white lead), sulphides (natural and synthetic cinnabar, and orpiment) and acetates, (verdigris) have been characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared-Spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR-FTIR) and Diffuse Reflectance (DRIFT) modalities. Considering the latter, there is still a great deal of uncertainty in the interpretation of the different IR vibrational bands. Therefore, a comparative study between these two techniques has been carried out to highlight the potential of DRIFT spectroscopy as a portable and non-destructive technique that allows the differentiation and characterization of historical pigments in the field of cultural heritage. Before performing FTIR analysis, pigments were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) to detect impurities and/or additives in the pigments. Differentiation between natural and synthetic pigments was possible due to the identification of impurities in natural pigments, and manufacture-related compounds or additives in synthetic pigments. Results obtained in this study have proven DRIFT to be a very useful analytical technique for in situ characterization of heritage materials. This study serves as an initial step in clarifying the challenges and uncertainties associated with interpreting spectra obtained through the DRIFT modality. However, the use of other complementary analytical techniques is required.
