Pre issue, CMA4CH 2006, Mediterranean Meeting Multivariate Analysis and Chemometrics applied to Environment and Cultural Heritage, Nemi (RM), 2-4 October 2006, Italy, Europe __________________________________________________________________________________________ P. Ballirano, et al., Use of EDXD for the Investigation of the Structural and Compositional Features of Old and Modern Papers. The Use of Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction (EDXD) for the Investigation of the Structural and Compositional Features of Old and Modern Papers P. Ballirano 1 , R. Caminiti 2 , C. Sadun 2 , G. Caracciolo 2 1 Dip.to di Scienze della Terra, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy. 2 Dip.to di Chimica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy. Abstract This work reports the first application of the E nergy Dispersive X -ray Diffraction (E DX D) for the investigation of the structural and compositional features of old and modern papers. Based on the differences observed among various types of paper and building an appropriate database we expect to be able to rapidly identify the provenance of the paper itself using a fast non-destructive technique. This result is quite interesting in the field of art conservation and archaeometry. Introduction The application of several experimental techniques to objects of both historical and artistic value has recently attracted a great deal of attention. In the next future, the combination of older techniques and new advances is expected to provide results in the overall field of art conservation and archaeometry [1], also the use of Multivariate Analysis can aid the study of ancient artifacts. Among the spectroscopic techniques employed for the investigation of various art works X - ray diffraction (X RD) represents a powerful non-destructive technique that is able to provide information regarding the molecular packing of atoms and molecules inside the sample at microscopic and self-assembled levels. In the case of parchments or ancient papers, the structure of the samples has possibly undergone deterioration due to external factors. Many samples of artistic and historical interest may also be characterized and authenticated from their elemental composition. Structural and compositional features of all mentioned samples may be simultaneously obtained by E nergy Dispersive X -ray Diffraction (E DX D). In this work, we report our first E DX D measurements carried out on paper of different provenience and age. In order to evaluate the applicability of the technique to the structural and compositional studies of paper samples, five old books were selected and the experimental findings were compared to those extracted for a modern high performance paper used for photocopies, laser and ink-jet printers. Materials & Methods X -Ray Diffraction experiments were carried out by an E DX D apparatus elsewhere described in detail [2]. The diffracted intensity is measured as a function of the transfer momentum q (q = cost * E * sin ?? cost = 1.01354 Å -1 * keV -1 ). After a preliminary set of measurements, the scattering angle of ? = 5° was selected to investigate a q-range comprises between 1 and 4 Å -1 covering the relevant reflections of cellulose. The uncertainty associated to ? is ? ? = 0.001° and it directly affects the uncertainty ? q associated to the transfer momentum. Results Fig. 1 shows six E DX D patterns of paper samples of different provenience and age. All the E DX D scans contain the relevant peaks of the crystalline form of cellulose. In particular a doublet