analytical chemist in cultural heritage
Hello! My name is Alina Krotova. I am a PhD researcher investigating heritage objects at the University of Antwerp. I hold MSc in analytical chemistry and have been working in the field of cultural heritage and conservation science since September 2020.
Here you will find electronic version of my CV, list of publications and conferences, a small gallery of pictures of my research life, and my contacts.
Here you will find electronic version of my CV, list of publications and conferences, a small gallery of pictures of my research life, and my contacts.
Education- Specialist (equivalent to an MSc) in fundamental and applied chemistry — Division of Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University — 2014 - 2020
Thesis title: Quantification of ruthenium, gold, palladium and chromium dopants in advanced materials based on tin oxide by ICP-MS
Languages and additional education- Russian Native
- English Advanced
- German B1
German language in the sphere of cultural and professional communication Oct 2017 - May 2019
Russian-German Institute of Science and Culture,
Lomonosov Moscow State University
Certificate in translation of chemical science literature 2016 - 2018
Chemistry Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University
Research experience- PhD Researcher Dec 2022 - Present
Investigation of salt-induced degradation of historical silk
Supervised by Prof. Dr. Geert Van der Snickt and Prof. Dr. Koen Janssens- Junior Researcher, Expert Sept 2020 - Nov 2022
Sampling of paints under a microscope; preparation of cross-sections of paint chips; analysis using polarised light microscopy (PLM), microchemical and spectroscopic (μXRF, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDX, Raman spectroscopy) methods of analysis; writing expert and scientific reports; analysis of ceramics, metals and other materials using the methods mentioned above; consulting museum workers and conservators- Research Assistant Jan 2021 - March 2022
Analysis of paints by μXRF; development of approaches to analysis of Co-based paints by TXRF and ICP-MS- Research Assistant Oct 2015 – June 2020
Developed approaches to the digestion and analysis of the novel nanomaterials based on tin dioxide by ICP-MS and XRF; participated in multidisciplinary research projects, conferences, and writing scientific papers- Other experience
- Analytical chemistry teacher assistant for international students; scientific advisor of two course papers (in English) Sept 2019 – Dec 2019
Assisted in preparation for seminars and laboratory works; curated two course papers- Scientific Journalist (freelance) Dec 2018 - April 2022
Wrote more than 120 news articles about the latest scientific papers in chemistry and three popular-science articles
Volunteering- Mentor Feb 2023 – Apr 2023
- Host of weekly English discussion club about scientific topics Sept 2018 – Apr 2020
Organised and moderated weekly discussions on scientific topics in English
- English teacher for children 7-14 y.o. Jul 2018 – Aug 2018
Zhejiang school, Yuyao (China)
Professional skillsAnalytical chemistry:
• practice of analytical methods: chromatography (+ mass spectrometry), spectroscopy (UV-Vis and IR spectrometers, fluorimeter), electrochemistry (potentiometry (pH-metre and ion-selective), coulometry, voltammetry methods, etc.)
• using and interpreting results of ICP-MS (Agilent 7500c), μXRF (Tornado M4 Plus, for quantification and mapping; handheld Hitachi XMET-7500), TXRF (Bruker S2 PICOFOX), macro-XRF (Bruker Mistral), ATR-FTIR (Bruker LUMOS), SEM-EDX (Hitachi TM4000), PLM (polarised light microscopy, LOMO), Raman spectroscopy (Renishaw Invia Qontor)
• knowledge of crystallography and principles of XRD, experience in interpreting diffractograms
Sample preparation:
• microsampling of paints, preparation of cross-sections of micro samples (in Sorel cement),
• digestion procedures (ultrasonic bath and probe, microwave digestion system, fusion) and micro-extraction
Computer skills:
• software: Origin, ChemDraw, OPUS, MS Office, Photoshop, CorelDraw
• basic programming skills and practice (Visual Basic), basics of Python
• knowledge of scientific literature databases (Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, ACS Publications) and open spectral databases (IRUG, NIST, CAMEO, International Centre for Diffraction Data, American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database, + key review articles)
General research:
• writing scientific articles and presenting works to the scientific community
• knowledge of technical art history from literature and experience (mostly I worked with materials of paintings of 19th and 20th century)
Soft skills• working in interdisciplinary teams and independently
• leading projects and being an executive member
• plan and manage time and tasks
• adaptive to changes and stress-resistant
• problem-solving, creative and initiative
• open-minded and friendly, ready to discuss any misunderstandings
Research
Materials of Early Etudes by Russian Avant-gardist Pavel Filonov / A. Krotova, E. Morozova, S.
Pisareva, I. Kadikova // International Journal of Conservation Science. 2022. link
Non-invasive μXRF imaging of the surface of the parade finno-ugric axe from the archeological site Lukhovets / T.I. Stefantseva, M.A. Statkus, A.A. Krotova, P.G. Derviz // Russian Archaeology. 2022 (Preparing)
Structures of the (Imidazole)nH+...X (n=1,2,3) complexes determined from IR spectroscopy and
quantum chemical calculations / D.S. Tikhonov, V.Scutelnic, D.I. Sharapa, A. A. Krotova, A. V.
Dmitrieva, D.A. Obenchain, M. Schnell // Structural Chemistry. 2022. DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-02053-4
Effect of AuPd bimetal sensitization on gas sensing performance of nanocrystalline SnO2
obtained by single step flame spray pyrolysis / V. Krivetskiy, K. Zamanskiy, A. Beltyukov,
A. Asachenko, M. Topchiy, M. Nechaev, A. Garshev, A. Krotova, D. Filatova, K.
Maslakov, M. Rumyantseva, A. Gaskov // NANOMATERIALS. 2019.
DOI: 10.3390/nano9050728
Enhancement of Lewis acidity of Cr-doped nanocrystalline SnO2 and its effect on surface
NH3 oxidation and the sensory detection pattern / A. Garshev, V. Ivanov, A. Krotova, D.
Filatova, E. Konstantinova, D. Naberezhnyi, N. Khmelevsky, A. Marikutsa, P. Kots, A.
Smirnov, M. Rumyantseva, A. Gaskov, V. Krivetskiy // ChemPhysChem. 2019.
DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900192
Study of the chromium distribution in new materials based on tin dioxide by inductively
coupled plasma–mass spectrometry / A.A. Krotova, V.V. Krivetskiy, M.N. Rumyantseva,
D.G. Filatova // Moscow University Chemistry Bulletin, Allerton Press Inc. (United States).
2019. DOI: 10.3103/S002713141901005X
Synergistic effect of nanocrystalline SnO2 sensitization by bimetallic Au and Pd
modification via single step flame spray pyrolysis technique / V.Krivetskiy, K.Zamanskiy,
A.Krotova // Proceedings. 2019. DOI: 10.3390/proceedings2019014046
Determination of nickel, zinc and cobalt in advanced materials based on NixCo3–xO4 and
ZnxCo3–xO4 by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray
fluorescence / A.A. Krotova, K.Ya. Prikhodko, S.A. Vladimirova, D.G. Filatova // Inorganic
Materials. 2019. DOI: 10.1134/S0020168519140097
Pisareva, I. Kadikova // International Journal of Conservation Science. 2022. link
Non-invasive μXRF imaging of the surface of the parade finno-ugric axe from the archeological site Lukhovets / T.I. Stefantseva, M.A. Statkus, A.A. Krotova, P.G. Derviz // Russian Archaeology. 2022 (Preparing)
Structures of the (Imidazole)nH+...X (n=1,2,3) complexes determined from IR spectroscopy and
quantum chemical calculations / D.S. Tikhonov, V.Scutelnic, D.I. Sharapa, A. A. Krotova, A. V.
Dmitrieva, D.A. Obenchain, M. Schnell // Structural Chemistry. 2022. DOI: 10.1007/s11224-022-02053-4
Effect of AuPd bimetal sensitization on gas sensing performance of nanocrystalline SnO2
obtained by single step flame spray pyrolysis / V. Krivetskiy, K. Zamanskiy, A. Beltyukov,
A. Asachenko, M. Topchiy, M. Nechaev, A. Garshev, A. Krotova, D. Filatova, K.
Maslakov, M. Rumyantseva, A. Gaskov // NANOMATERIALS. 2019.
DOI: 10.3390/nano9050728
Enhancement of Lewis acidity of Cr-doped nanocrystalline SnO2 and its effect on surface
NH3 oxidation and the sensory detection pattern / A. Garshev, V. Ivanov, A. Krotova, D.
Filatova, E. Konstantinova, D. Naberezhnyi, N. Khmelevsky, A. Marikutsa, P. Kots, A.
Smirnov, M. Rumyantseva, A. Gaskov, V. Krivetskiy // ChemPhysChem. 2019.
DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900192
Study of the chromium distribution in new materials based on tin dioxide by inductively
coupled plasma–mass spectrometry / A.A. Krotova, V.V. Krivetskiy, M.N. Rumyantseva,
D.G. Filatova // Moscow University Chemistry Bulletin, Allerton Press Inc. (United States).
2019. DOI: 10.3103/S002713141901005X
Synergistic effect of nanocrystalline SnO2 sensitization by bimetallic Au and Pd
modification via single step flame spray pyrolysis technique / V.Krivetskiy, K.Zamanskiy,
A.Krotova // Proceedings. 2019. DOI: 10.3390/proceedings2019014046
Determination of nickel, zinc and cobalt in advanced materials based on NixCo3–xO4 and
ZnxCo3–xO4 by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray
fluorescence / A.A. Krotova, K.Ya. Prikhodko, S.A. Vladimirova, D.G. Filatova // Inorganic
Materials. 2019. DOI: 10.1134/S0020168519140097
In situ pXRF screening of weighted silks in museum collections: first SAFESILK results / A. Krotova, C. Vettorazzo, I. Kraševec, Matija Strlič, Eva Menart, K. Verkens, G. Van der Snickt, N. Ortega Saez, K. Janssens, poster presented at TECNART2023, 7-12 May 2023, Lisbon, Portugal
Investigation of three 20th century Winsor & Newton colour charts by µ-XRF / A. Krotova, D. Filatova, oral presentation at the 3rd workshop on MA-XRF, Macro X-ray Fluorescence Scanning in Conservation, Art and Archaeology, 26-27 September 2022, Delft, Netherlands
Specialties of materials of early etudes by Pavel Filonov / A. Krotova, E. Morozova, S. Pisareva , I. Kadikova, poster presented at I MUNCH2022, Understanding Munch and the Art at the turn of the Centuries - Between the Museum and the Laboratory, 21-23 March 2022, Oslo, Norway
Technological study of three paintings by Konstantin Kuznetsov by spectroscopic
methods of analysis / A. Krotova, T. Yuryeva, S. Pisareva, poster presented at XXVIII
Lomonosov 2021, 12-23 April 2021, Moscow, Russia
Synergistic Effect of Nanocrystalline SnO2 Sensitization by Bimetallic Au and Pd Modification via Ingle Step Flame Spray Pyrolysis Technique / V. Krivetskiy, M. Andreev, A. Krotova, poster presented at 8th GOSPEL Workshop. Gas Sensors Based on Semiconducting Metal Oxides: Basic Understanding & Application Fields, 2019, 20-21 June, Ferrara, Italy
Quantification and distribution of modifiers in advanced materials based on tin oxide by
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry / D.G. Filatova, M.N. Rumyantseva, V.V. Krivetskiy, A.A. Krotova, poster presented at XIX Euroanalysis 2017, 28 August-1 September 2017, Stockholm, Sweden
Quantification of chromium and tin in semiconductor materials based on tin dioxide by
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry / A.A. Krotova, V.V. Krivetskiy, S.A. Vladimirova D.G. Filatova, report presented at VIII Lomonosov 2017, 10-14 April 2017, Moscow, Russia
Investigation of three 20th century Winsor & Newton colour charts by µ-XRF / A. Krotova, D. Filatova, oral presentation at the 3rd workshop on MA-XRF, Macro X-ray Fluorescence Scanning in Conservation, Art and Archaeology, 26-27 September 2022, Delft, Netherlands
Specialties of materials of early etudes by Pavel Filonov / A. Krotova, E. Morozova, S. Pisareva , I. Kadikova, poster presented at I MUNCH2022, Understanding Munch and the Art at the turn of the Centuries - Between the Museum and the Laboratory, 21-23 March 2022, Oslo, Norway
Technological study of three paintings by Konstantin Kuznetsov by spectroscopic
methods of analysis / A. Krotova, T. Yuryeva, S. Pisareva, poster presented at XXVIII
Lomonosov 2021, 12-23 April 2021, Moscow, Russia
Synergistic Effect of Nanocrystalline SnO2 Sensitization by Bimetallic Au and Pd Modification via Ingle Step Flame Spray Pyrolysis Technique / V. Krivetskiy, M. Andreev, A. Krotova, poster presented at 8th GOSPEL Workshop. Gas Sensors Based on Semiconducting Metal Oxides: Basic Understanding & Application Fields, 2019, 20-21 June, Ferrara, Italy
Quantification and distribution of modifiers in advanced materials based on tin oxide by
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry / D.G. Filatova, M.N. Rumyantseva, V.V. Krivetskiy, A.A. Krotova, poster presented at XIX Euroanalysis 2017, 28 August-1 September 2017, Stockholm, Sweden
Quantification of chromium and tin in semiconductor materials based on tin dioxide by
inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry / A.A. Krotova, V.V. Krivetskiy, S.A. Vladimirova D.G. Filatova, report presented at VIII Lomonosov 2017, 10-14 April 2017, Moscow, Russia
SAFESILK: Metal salt-induced silk degradation in heritage collections (Jan 2023 - Present)
Investigation of residues of paint on the stone slab dated 1491 (April - Oct 2022)
Non-invasive μXRF imaging of the surface of the parade finno-ugric axe from the archeological site Lukhovets (Dec 2021)
Study of three “Winsor & Newton” paint charts of oil paints and watercolours from the 1930s (Dec 2021 - Sept 2022)
Investigation of historical (XVIII-XX centuries) and modern ceramic decor to solve technological issues (Dec 2021 - November 2022)
Investigation of the chronology of the use of artistic materials in easel paintings by methods of physico-chemical analysis (Oct 2020 - November 2022)
Development of a synthetic technique for obtaining ultrafine nanocomposites on the basis of semiconductor metal oxides for the production of microelectronic chemical gas sensors by jet microprinting (Oct 2018 - June 2020)
Development of the general strategy for the determination of the total concentration of the elements and speciation of technological and new functional materials by the complex spectroscopic techniques (Feb 2016 - Dec 2018)
Investigation of residues of paint on the stone slab dated 1491 (April - Oct 2022)
Non-invasive μXRF imaging of the surface of the parade finno-ugric axe from the archeological site Lukhovets (Dec 2021)
Study of three “Winsor & Newton” paint charts of oil paints and watercolours from the 1930s (Dec 2021 - Sept 2022)
Investigation of historical (XVIII-XX centuries) and modern ceramic decor to solve technological issues (Dec 2021 - November 2022)
Investigation of the chronology of the use of artistic materials in easel paintings by methods of physico-chemical analysis (Oct 2020 - November 2022)
Development of a synthetic technique for obtaining ultrafine nanocomposites on the basis of semiconductor metal oxides for the production of microelectronic chemical gas sensors by jet microprinting (Oct 2018 - June 2020)
Development of the general strategy for the determination of the total concentration of the elements and speciation of technological and new functional materials by the complex spectroscopic techniques (Feb 2016 - Dec 2018)
State academic scholarship (Lomonosov MSU), won twice (spring and fall semesters of 2019)
Winner of the contest of science-popular texts “Bio/Mol/Text” in the category “Academia &
business” (Moscow, 2021)
Winner of the contest of science-popular texts “Bio/Mol/Text” in the category “Academia &
business” (Moscow, 2021)
Setup for microsampling paints from the Pietro Antonio Solari's stone slab
To decide how to conserve the slab, conservators asked to identify some of the materials used.
Microsamples of luminescent red dyes under the UV lamp
Aluminium supports and carbon tape were used to prepare samples for acquiring fluorescence emission spectra by Raman spectroscopy.
Investigation of Windsor & Newton paint charts by μXRF
To identify elements in paint colour shades and inclusions in them we used non-invasive and local µXRF method.
Distribution of Ag (green) and Fe (grey) on the corroded surface of silver-encrusted axe ancient Finno-Ugric peoples
µXRF imaging revealed the hidden silver ornament.
Rubens – the cat who lives in the GOSNIIR building, helped the lecturer describe principles of FTIR
On one of the lectures of the course on the analysis of paint layer taught in GOSNIIR, the cat was amused by animation that showed molecule vibrations.
Microscopic image of a fragment of an oil painting on plywood
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