Calcite nanoparticles as possible nano-fillers for reinforcing the plaster of Palazzetto Alessandro Lancia in Rome

In this paper, CaCO3 nanoparticles were synthesized and then applied on the plaster of Palazzetto Alessandro Lancia, in Rome. CaCO3 (A) and CaCO3 (B) were fabricated by using urease enzyme and the miniemulsion strategy, respectively. Samples A and B were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Then, the dispersions were applied on the plaster and the SEM equipped by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis was used for characterization. Interesting results were obtained in recovering the mechanical properties of the plaster, not altering their permeability to water and perfectly keeping the wall transpiration but only in presence of nanostructured Calcite (A). This latter resulted in a high quality sample, if compared with the CaCO3 (B) (that also contains Vaterite compound).