Durable Polymer Coatings: A Comparative Study of PDMS-Based Nanocomposites as Protective Coatings for Stone Materials

Nowadays, durable protective coatings receive more attention in the field of conservation for several reasons (they are cost effective, time consuming, resistance, etc.). Hence, this study was focused on producing a multi-functional, coating to protect different stone materials, especially, Lecce stone, bricks, and marble. For purpose, ZrO2-doped-ZnO-PDMS nanocomposites (PDMS, polydimethylsiloxane used as binder) were synthesized by situ reaction (doped nanoparticles inserted into polymer matrix during synthesis PDMS) performances resulting examined handling experimental analyses. In particular, aimed evaluate durability properties along with self-cleaning effect. As result, nanocomposite respect well-known PDMS assessed after exposure two ageing cycles: solar (300 W, 1000 h) humid chamber (RH > 80%, T = 22 ± 3 °C, desiccator, 2 years). All results good agreement each other providing that newly prepared can be materials.