Panagiotis Manoudis1, Katia Matziari1, Andreas Tsakalof2, Ioannis Karapanagiotis3, Ioannis Zuburtikudis4, Elpida Minopoulou3, and Costas Panayiotou1. (1) Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece, (2) Medical Department - University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece, (3) “Ormylia” Art Diagnosis Centre, Ormylia, Greece, (4) Department of Industrial Design Engineering, TEI of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece
It is demonstrated that the modification of stone protective coating compositions with nanoparticles dramatically enhance the water and lipid repellent properties of the stone after treatment with the modified compositions. Thus, for a siloxane composition, the water - marble contact angle increased from 110o for unmodified composition to 160o for modified composition with nanoparticles. The increase in water contact angle depends on nanoparticle concentration and attain a maximum for concentrations > 0,5% (w/v). Microscopy (SEM and AFM), Raman spectroscopy, and Light Scattering data on surface morphology and nanoparticle characteristics are reported, which form the basis for a physico¬chemical explanation of the performance of the new coatings for the protection of stone and stone monuments.