SiO2 nanoparticles as new repairing treatments toward the Pietraforte sandstone in Florence renaissance buildings

In this work, the consolidation efficiency of SiO2 nanoparticles (synthesized in the Chemistry laboratories at the Tor Vergata University of Roma) was tested on Pietraforte sandstone surfaces belonging to the bell tower of San Lorenzo (Florence, Italy) and was fully investigated. Nanoparticles (synthesized in large-scale mass production) have been characterized by XRD—X-Ray Diffraction; Raman and FTIR—Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy; SEM—Scanning Electron Microscopy; while the Pietraforte sandstone morphology was examined by Porosimetry, capillary absorption test, surface hardness test, drilling resistance and tensile strength. The colorimetric measurements were also performed to characterize the optical modification exhibited by Pietraforte sandstones, especially after the SiO2 treatments. Our results show that applying to the Pietraforte, the new consolidating agent based on SiO2 nanoparticles, has several advantages, as they are more resistant to perforation, wear, and abrasion even long range (for long times of exposure and consolidating exercise against Florentine sandstone), compared to the CaCO3 nanoparticles (tested in our previous paper), which instead show excellent performance but only close to their first application. This means that over time, their resistance to drilling decreases, they wear much more easily (compared to SiO2 -treated sandstone), and tend to exhibit quite a significant surface abrasion phenomena. The experimental results highlight that the SiO2 consolidation efficiency on this kind of Florentine Pietraforte sandstone (having low porosity and a specific calcitic texture) seems to be higher in terms of water penetration protection, superficial cohesion forces, and an increase in surface resistance. Comparing the performance of SiO2 nanoparticles with commercial consolidants in solvents such as Estel 1000 (tested here), we demonstrate that: (A) the restorative effects are obtained with a consolidation time over one week, significantly shorter when compared to the times of Estel 1000, exceeding 21 days; (B) SiO2 nanoparticles perform better than Estel 1000 in terms of cohesion forces, also ensuring excellent preservation of the optical and color properties of the parent rock (without altering it after application).