Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the fast and direct characterization of antique glazed ceramics

Abstract

In this work, the potential of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the characterization of ceramics manufactured in the Aragon area during the 14th to 18th century was explored. The samples were covered by a vitreous Pb-enriched layer (≈100 μm of thickness) to which Co was added as colouring pigment. The goal of the work was to investigate the trace and major element composition of these thin layers, in an attempt to establish differences between samples originating from different ceramic workshops, but also to discover further information about the possible ores used as a source of Co and their location. The results confirmed the possibilities of the technique for obtaining spatially resolved information. It was feasible to achieve a controlled ablation of the glazed layers, ensuring minimum sample damage (a spot size diameter of 120 μm was used, resulting in the consumption of only a few μg per sample), while the sensitivity of the ICP-MS device (LODs in the 0.1–1 μg g⁻¹ range were obtained for most elements) permitted the monitoring of approximately 30 elements. The differences in the concentration levels of Cu, As and Mn allow the classification of the samples into three different categories, which is in good agreement with the results achieved by an alternative and more laborious method (sample digestion and subsequent ICP-AES analysis of the ceramic bodies).