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Layered Nano-TiO2 Based Treatments for the Maintenance of Natural Stones in Historical Architecture
Francesca Gherardi1, Sara Goidanich1, Vladimiro Dal Santo2
1Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "Giulio Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133, Milano, Italy.
Abstract:
Layered treatments of natural stones based on dispersions of experimental nano-TiO2 and commercial TEOS showing photocatalytic and self-cleaning properties were set up and tested. To enhance nano-TiO2 efficacy, a surface pre-treatment with tetraethyl orthosilicate was proposed to avoid the penetration of NPs into the crystalline porous substrates and to improve their adhesion to the stone. Two treatment applications (wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry) were compared, showing different results. A strong interaction Si-O-Ti was the key factor for the successful treatment, leaving the band gap and relevant properties of nano-TiO2 unaltered. The layered treatments were tested on a porous calcarenite (Noto stone) and a very compact marble (Carrara marble). The combined SiO2 -nano-TiO2 treatments can find application in suitable cases where a surface consolidation is needed, ensuring a depolluting and self-cleaning durable activity.
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