NANOMATCH

Nano-systems for the conservation of immoveable and moveable polymaterial Cultural Heritage in a changing environment

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Government authorities, restoration architects and conservation scientists have always had to face the problem of deterioration of historic building materials, in particular stone, wood and glass; an issue that has become more and more urgent since climate change has worsened natural decay and the impact of atmospheric pollution. In addition in recent years socio-economic requirements have claimed for a more sustainable use of existing building heritage. On these premises, the NANOMATCH project will address this issue through the development of a class of innovative consolidants to be specifically designed to meet the requirements of the historic substrates and to identify high performance products to renovate the market dedicated to the conservation of the built heritage. Alkaline earth and semi-metal alkoxides precursors will be synthesized tuning their properties on the basis of the stone, wood and glass-substrate characteristics and the specific functionality to be addressed, leading to a new generation of nano-structured materials tailored specifically for historic materials in a climate change context, merging from the most recent advanced research in the fields of nanotechnologies and conservation science. The development of suitable products for treatment of historic materials will finally halt the current use of inappropriate commercial products, especially polymers, that were designed for completely other purposes than the conservation of cultural heritage and that, in the recent years, show the detrimental effects due to their fast deterioration, that hampers the treated material too. Central in the project is the synthesis of molecular precursors, nano-coating deposition and related properties assessment finalized to the production of innovative products to update the market of conservation products as a real alternative for unfitting traditional ones. The basis for their production and introduction on the market will be developed during the project.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

The deterioration of historic buildings has become an increasingly urgent issue and consequently the need of a more sustainable management of the built heritage as well. An EU initiative has developed complex new materials designed specifically to restore heritage materials.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Natural weathering of historic surfaces is made worse by increased atmospheric pollution and accelerated climate change. Moreover, the use of inappropriate commercial preservatives has been identified as a major contributor to building deterioration. Therefore, there is the demand to improve the current restoration products and methodologies or to develop new valid alternatives for the conservation and preservation of monuments, safeguarding their cultural values and improving their future usability.

The EU-funded http://www.nanomatch-project.eu/ (NANOMATCH) (Nano-systems for the conservation of immoveable and moveable polymaterial cultural heritage in a changing environment) project aimed to address this problem by creating complex, nano-structured materials that are specifically designed to preserve historic wood, stone, stone-like and glass materials.

Nano-suspensions of calcium alkoxides, precursors of the corresponding carbonate, were synthesised to increase the strength in stone and stone-like materials, as well as to provide alkaline supply in wooden substrates. Molecularly dispersed aluminium alkoxide, precursor of Al2O3, already developed in the EU project CONSTGLASS, was optimised to allow the penetration in the smallest cracks (< 5?m) of corroded glass.

The new treatments were assessed on a variety of selected substrates in terms of workability, efficacy, compatibility and durability in comparison with a range of commercial products. Treated model samples and degraded historical substrates were first analysed in laboratory and then before and after one-year exposure on the field, through cases studies in places of worship in Germany (Cologne Cathedral), Spain (Oviedo Cathedral), Italy (Santa Croce Basilica in Florence) and Romania (Stavropoleos Monastery in Bucharest). The impact on human health and the environment was also tested.

Finally, the optimal processing parameters for industrial production were defined and an economic cost-benefit analysis of the new products was performed. An exploitation plan mainly tailored to small and medium-sized enterprises was also produced. This led to a business model that assesses their marketability and the possible risks during commercialisation.

By developing advanced and sustainable nano-structured materials as an alternative to conventional products, NANOMATCH will help reverse the decay of historic materials. The project will ultimately improve the preservation of Europe's valuable built heritage. See the project's video http://www.nanomatch-project.eu/ (here).