Multifunctional and Durable Coatings for Stone Protection Based on Gd-Doped Nanocomposites

Marwa Ben Chobba, Maduka Lankani Weththimuni, Mouna Messaoud, Donatella Sacchi, Jamel Bouaziz, Filomena De Leo, Clara Urzi and Maurizio Licchelli
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Marwa Ben Chobba: Laboratory of Advanced Materials, National School of Engineering, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Maduka Lankani Weththimuni: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Mouna Messaoud: Laboratory of Advanced Materials, National School of Engineering, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Donatella Sacchi: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Jamel Bouaziz: Laboratory of Advanced Materials, National School of Engineering, University of Sfax, Sfax 3038, Tunisia
Filomena De Leo: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98122 Messina, Italy
Clara Urzi: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98122 Messina, Italy
Maurizio Licchelli: Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: The development of nanocomposite materials with multifunctional protective features is an urgent need in many fields. However, few works have studied the durability of these materials. Even though TiO 2 nanoparticles have been extensively applied for self-cleaning effect, it displays a weak activity under visible light. Hence, in this study, pure and Gd-doped TiO 2 nanoparticles (molar ratios of doping ions/Ti are 0.1 and 1) were synthesised, characterised, and then mixed with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), used as a binder, in order to produce a homogenised thin film on a very porous stone substrate. To our knowledge, Gd-doped TiO 2 /PDMS protective coatings are studied for the first time for application on historic structures. The protective coatings developed in this work are intended to reduce the surface wettability of the stone and protect the historic stones from dye pollution and microorganism colonisation. Moreover, in this study, the durability of the developed nanocomposite was deeply studied to evaluate the stability of the coatings. Results confirmed that samples treated with the lowest concentrations of Gd ions (0.1 mol%) showed acceptable chromatic variations, a good repellent feature, acceptable water vapour permeability, good durability, the highest self-cleaning activity, and good inhibitory behaviour against microbial colonisation.

Keywords: Gd-doped TiO 2; nanocomposite coatings; photodegradation activity; antimicrobial activity; durable protective coatings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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