The Possibilities of Determination of the Relative Age of Ballpoint Pen Ink Entries by High Performance Liquid Chromatography / Lodīšu Pildspalvas Tintes Ierakstu Relatīvā Vecuma Noteikšanas Iespējas Ar Augstefektīvās Šķidrumu Hromatogrāfijas Metodi

Abstract

Investigation of three colour inks was performed using the HPLC method. The research is based on the theory of reducing of solvent in ink and on the change of ratio between dyes due to the degradation of the dye or changes of its extraction properties. Old samples, aged from 1 to 7 months were selected for research. Samples were made using blue, violet and black ballpoint ink. Record samples are kept in the dark, in climatic conditions of a usual office. During the identification of ink compound, by using LC/MS, a statement was made that each ink sample contains 2-phenoxyethanol as a solvent, Methyl Violet and Basic Blue dyes and their degradation products. The areas of peaks gained at characteristic wavelengths are used for the analysis of the aging process.

Figures of Merit Evaluation of Gc/MS Method for Quantification of 2-Phenoxyethanol From Ballpoint Pen Ink Lines and Determination of the Influence of Support Paper on Solvent Extraction

“…1 Many current methods developed try to establish a protocol of ink dating by dye or pigment degradation. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] However, Aginsky (1998) already stated that is more correct to measure ink volatile components than dyes to date an ink, because dyes are easily extracted from surface layers of ink lines no matter the ink age. 10 Volatile solvents in ballpoint inks are also used to assess the age of ink on paper.…”