iron logwood (Fe-logwood) ink

Slovenia
19th Century
Source: Retko, K., Legan, L., Kosel, J. et al. Identification of iron gall inks, logwood inks, and their mixtures using Raman spectroscopy, supplemented by reflection and transmission infrared spectroscopy. Herit Sci 12, 212 (2024).
Recipe Details

Ingredients

natural logwood extract, ferrous sulphate, gum arabic, acetic acid, ultrapure water

Preparation Steps

Following historical recipes (p. 4), 0.75 g of logwood extract was boiled in 50 mL of ultrapure water. After cooling, 60 mL of a solution containing 3 g ferrous sulphate and gum arabic in 8% acetic acid was added. The use of 8% acetic acid acts as a solvent/stabilizer.

Original Recipe Text

Following historical recipes (p. 4), 0.75 g of logwood extract was boiled in 50 mL of ultrapure water. After cooling, 60 mL of a solution containing 3 g ferrous sulphate and gum arabic in 8% acetic acid was added. The use of 8% acetic acid acts as a solvent/stabilizer.

Evidence

"The iron logwood (Fe-logwood) ink was prepared as follows: 0.75 g of logwood extract were boiled in 50 mL of ultrapure water. After cooling, 60 mL of a solution containing 3 g of ferrous sulphate and gum arabic in 8% acetic acid were added."

Remarks

Fe-logwood inks can be confused with iron gall inks due to spectral similarities at certain wavelengths, but their most intense Raman band is shifted to higher wavenumbers (ca. 1490 cm−1) compared to iron gall (p. 18). Logwood extract contains hematein, which forms metal complexes that serve as the primary colorant (p. 2).

Scientific Analysis
Chemical Compositionhematein-iron complex
Analytical Techniques
portable Raman spectrometer
confocal dispersive Raman microscope
transmission infrared spectroscopy
Certainty Level
Confirmed
Instrumentally Verified
Verified
Metadata
Material Type
ink
BinderAcacia gum
Paper TypeWhatman™ paper No. 1
ColorBlack
RegionSlovenia
Approx. Year1850
Source Information
TitleIdentification of iron gall inks, logwood inks, and their mixtures using Raman spectroscopy, supplemented by reflection and transmission infrared spectroscopy
AuthorRetko, K., Legan, L., Kosel, J. et al. Identification of iron gall inks, logwood inks, and their mixtures using Raman spectroscopy, supplemented by reflection and transmission infrared spectroscopy. Herit Sci 12, 212
CollectionResearch Institute, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia
Language
N/A
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