NANO-MATERIALI PER LA CONSERVAZIONE DELLE SUPERFICI STORICHE

Historic and architectural surfaces conservation is considered a more and more strategic way not only for cultural reasons, but also for positive economic and social consequences. Traditional techniques of interventions often require re-application after some years and they can be carefully used in many cases. Recent researches have tried to transfer nanotechnologies to the restoration sector so as to fill this gap. Nano-coatings, in particular with titanium dioxide (TiO2), is more and more used, because they seem to be able to keep historic architectural surfaces self-cleaned and to prevent biofouling. Thus, in this paper, TiO2 potential use on common historic materials like sandstone, limestone and tuff is presented by underlying pros and cons after laboratory-simulated tests. Results show the high potentiality of this nanomaterial for the conservation of historic surfaces by also maintaining their original visual appearance. However, particular care has to be paid when historic surfaces are highly porous and rough. This, in fact, can limit the efficiency of the TiO2-nanocoating