We report about the X-ray powder diffraction characterization of crystalline materials used to produce genuine and counterfeit banknotes, performed with a single-crystal diffractometer that permits fast and nondestructive measurements in different 0.5-mm sized areas; 20-euro denomination genuine banknotes were analyzed, and results were compared with counterfeit banknotes. The analysis shows that the papers used to print real banknotes are composed, as expected, of cotton-based cellulose and titanium dioxide as crystalline additive, but different polymorphs of TiO2 for different emission countries are evidenced. The counterfeit banknotes are composed of cellulose based on wood pulp; moreover, an unexpected significant quantity of TiO2 was found to be mixed with calcite, indicating that the paper employed by forgers is not simply a common low-cost type. The crystalline index and intensity ratios between the peaks attributable to cellulose and fillers can provide additional information to trace back paper suppliers for forensic purposes.

X-ray Powder Diffraction for Characterization of Raw Materials in Banknotes

MARABELLO, Domenica;BENZI, Paola;
2017-01-01

Abstract

We report about the X-ray powder diffraction characterization of crystalline materials used to produce genuine and counterfeit banknotes, performed with a single-crystal diffractometer that permits fast and nondestructive measurements in different 0.5-mm sized areas; 20-euro denomination genuine banknotes were analyzed, and results were compared with counterfeit banknotes. The analysis shows that the papers used to print real banknotes are composed, as expected, of cotton-based cellulose and titanium dioxide as crystalline additive, but different polymorphs of TiO2 for different emission countries are evidenced. The counterfeit banknotes are composed of cellulose based on wood pulp; moreover, an unexpected significant quantity of TiO2 was found to be mixed with calcite, indicating that the paper employed by forgers is not simply a common low-cost type. The crystalline index and intensity ratios between the peaks attributable to cellulose and fillers can provide additional information to trace back paper suppliers for forensic purposes.
2017
62
4
962
970
http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0022328X03010131/1-s2.0-S0022328X03010131-main.pdf?_tid=bc7c00be-60be-11e7-88ff-00000aab0f26&acdnat=1499175978_7b3a941b49b5eb2ec5357000b4e22581
forensic science, X-ray powder diffraction, paper characterization, banknotes characterization, semicrystalline materials, nondestructive analysis, crystallinity index
Domenica Marabello; Paola Benzi; Antonietta Lombardozzi; Morela Strano
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1644238
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