Biotechnologie et biomatériaux

Abstrait

The use of nanomaterials in the cultural heritage

Mauro Francesco La Russa

In recent decades an apparent acceleration in the rate of stone decay and the growing worldwide interest in preserving historic structures are promoting a significant increase in the number of studies addressed to conservation and restoration. For this reason, the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for the material decay is required, as well as the optimization of the stone protection strategies. The main weathering agent is represented by water. It can transport pollutants through the structure of the stone, causing surface erosion, disintegration and cracking, thanks to wetting-drying or freezing-thawing cycles within the pores. Moreover, water make it possible the growth of biological patinas, which can induce further stone decay. In the field of Restoration of cultural heritage, nanoparticles are successfully used. In this framework, various researches funded by several National projects will be presented. In particular, the data arising from COMAS project (COnservazione programmata in situ dei Manufatti Archeologici Sommersi) concerning the study of degradation and alteration phenomena in the underwater environment will be exposed. They regarded characterization and in situ experimental testing of new nanomaterials on marbles and bricks of the archaeological site of Baia (Naples, Italy). With regard to the mortars used in the underwater environment, the preliminary results of MaTACoS (Materiali e Tecnologie avanzate Applicate alla Conservazione Subacquea) project (still in progress), funded by MISE - Ministero per lo Sviluppo Economico, will be introduced. At the same time, the results of the NANOPROTECH Project, funded by the Calabria Region, concerning the testing of Titanium dioxide in different achaeological sites ( foe example Trevi Fountain) will be discussed.