graphite particles

Ingredients

graphite particles

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The ink used in the manuscript is a carbon-based ink (p. 2). Laboratory testing using a 5% solution of iron and potassium cyanide with 1% hydrochloric acid confirmed the absence of iron-gall components (p. 5). Subsequent X-ray diffraction of the ink residues confirmed the ink is composed of graphite particles, visible as a distinct peak in the diffractogram (p. 5, 7).

Evidence

"A preliminary chemical test was undertaken to identify the ink type... which proves to be carbon ink. A fraction of the paper containing ink residues was analyzed using X-ray diffraction and showed that the carbon ink is composed of graphite particles (Figure 6)."

Remarks

The graphite-based carbon ink is noted for its stability, as it does not fade over time when exposed to light or chemicals (p. 7). However, the researchers note that such ink has a tendency to smudge when exposed to humid environments (p. 7). The ink remains chemically stable but is susceptible to physical abrasion if the binder fails or the environment becomes moist.