Nanolime deposition in Maastricht limestone: back-migration or accumulation at the absorption surface
conference paper
The development of nanomaterials is growing exponentially in the last decade. New discoveries and their applications
have taken place in different fields, such as electronics, chemistry, biology and physics. Some innovative nanoproducts
have become available also for the conservation of cultural heritage (e.g. nano-Ca(OH)2, nano-SiO2, nano-TiO2, CNTs,
etc.), showing interesting potentialities and advantages. However, there are also drawbacks.
Extensive literature is available on nanolimes, i.e. colloidal alcoholic dispersions of Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles, which
are promising materials for the consolidation of lime-based plasters and calcareous stone, often present in ancient
masonry structures. Nanolimes have several advantages such as high stability, fast carbonation rate and good chemical
and physical compatibility with calcareous stone and lime-based plasters. However, in comparison to other existing
consolidant products, like TEOS-based (Tetraethylorthosilicate), the penetration depth of nanolime is often limited,
which may consequently result in a low effectiveness.
The research presented in this paper aimed at understanding the penetration and deposition process of nanolime when
applied in Maastricht limestone, a soft, highly porous substrate, widely used in the Dutch and Belgian provinces of
Limburg. This research focused on the nanolime transport process to clarify whether nanolime is able to penetrate and
deposit in depth in the material or if it simply accumulates near the surface. In order to investigate the distribution
and particle size of nanolime deposited in the stone, next to simple phenolphthalein tests, optical microscopy, AFM and
SEM-EDS were used. On the basis of the obtained results, the transport and deposition of a commercial nanolime in
Maastricht limestone has been elucidated. The comprehension of the nanolime transport mechanism (penetration and
distribution) within the treated material is crucial for improving the effectiveness of this consolidation treatment
have taken place in different fields, such as electronics, chemistry, biology and physics. Some innovative nanoproducts
have become available also for the conservation of cultural heritage (e.g. nano-Ca(OH)2, nano-SiO2, nano-TiO2, CNTs,
etc.), showing interesting potentialities and advantages. However, there are also drawbacks.
Extensive literature is available on nanolimes, i.e. colloidal alcoholic dispersions of Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles, which
are promising materials for the consolidation of lime-based plasters and calcareous stone, often present in ancient
masonry structures. Nanolimes have several advantages such as high stability, fast carbonation rate and good chemical
and physical compatibility with calcareous stone and lime-based plasters. However, in comparison to other existing
consolidant products, like TEOS-based (Tetraethylorthosilicate), the penetration depth of nanolime is often limited,
which may consequently result in a low effectiveness.
The research presented in this paper aimed at understanding the penetration and deposition process of nanolime when
applied in Maastricht limestone, a soft, highly porous substrate, widely used in the Dutch and Belgian provinces of
Limburg. This research focused on the nanolime transport process to clarify whether nanolime is able to penetrate and
deposit in depth in the material or if it simply accumulates near the surface. In order to investigate the distribution
and particle size of nanolime deposited in the stone, next to simple phenolphthalein tests, optical microscopy, AFM and
SEM-EDS were used. On the basis of the obtained results, the transport and deposition of a commercial nanolime in
Maastricht limestone has been elucidated. The comprehension of the nanolime transport mechanism (penetration and
distribution) within the treated material is crucial for improving the effectiveness of this consolidation treatment
TNO Identifier
526219
Source title
Proceedings of the 15th Euroseminar on Microscopy Applied to Building Materials (15th EMABM) Delft, The Netherlands, June 17-19, 2015
Editor(s)
Copuroglu, O.
Pages
1-11
Files
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