Keywords

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, Ink -- Analysis, Pens

Abstract

An optimized method of extraction, an instrumental analysis method and data analysis was proposed for black writing inks based on direct infusion electrospray-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The sampling and analysis method is both minimally destructive and able to assess differences in inks from a reference collection of thirty ballpoint, gel, and rollerball inks. The methanol extracts of ink on paper samples were analyzed with three direct infusion (ESI-MS) methods. Each method varied scan voltage negative and positive, ESI fragmentor applied voltage (+120V, +0V, and -120V), and mobile phase additive. Direct infusion ESI-MS analysis, followed by pair-wise comparisons of the observed ion data in binary form allowed inks to be distinguished from each other. The photobleaching of the dye Basic Violet 3 (BV3) in ink-onpaper samples was examined to determine the use of degradation products as a marker of the age of the writing sample. The extent of photobleaching of BV3 was determined using several illumination sources. Pair-wise comparison of observed ion data was able to distinguish 29 of 30 ink samples using the combined three instrumental methods. Out of 435 pair-wise comparisons 429 pairs could be discriminated from each other using the combined three methods. This is a 98.6% discrimination with the combined analysis scheme

Notes

If this is your thesis or dissertation, and want to learn how to access it or for more information about readership statistics, contact us at STARS@ucf.edu

Graduation Date

2010

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Sigman, Michael

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Chemistry

Degree Program

Forensic Science

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0003563

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0003563

Language

English

Release Date

December 2010

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Subjects

Dissertations, Academic -- Sciences, Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic

Download

Share

COinS