Luis A.M. Carrascosa

Universidad de Cádiz | UCA · Department of Material Science and Metallurgy Engineering and Inorganic Chemistry

In this work, we employ a versatile laser-based top-down approach that allows to create superhydrophobic and hydrophobic surfaces, with controlled roughness and wetting properties, on marble and potentially other building materials. The process involves two stages: (1) application of an organically modified silica coating to reduce surface energy....

Water and waterborne decay agents (e.g. salts, microorganisms) are commonly associated with undesired alterations and damages on concrete elements. A strategy to mitigate their impact is to decrease water retention in the material either by surface treatments or admixtures. In this work, hydrophobic concretes were developed by the addition of a hyd...

Superhydrophobic surfaces present promising capabilities for the protection of building materials, such as the self-cleaning effect promoted by their high water repellence. However, these surfaces easily lose their properties when fouled with oily contaminants. It is a critical weak point for application on building facades, which are exposed to en...

Impregnation treatments are one of the alternatives to protect concrete-based building and monuments from weathering degradation. However, it is important to consider the chemical compatibility of the reaction products with the building material. The impregnation product studied here consists of a silica oligomer able to poly-merize, by a simple so...

Although silicon alkoxides (especially ethylsilicates) have long been used as consolidants of weathered stone monuments, their physical properties are not ideal. In this study, an innovative procedure for the consolidation of sedimentary rocks was developed that combines the use of organometallic and alkylamine catalysts with the addition of well-d...

An effective procedure has been developed to consolidate and hydrophobize decayed monumental stones by a simple sol-gel process. The sol contains silica oligomer, silica nanoparticles and a surfactant, preventing gel cracking. The effectiveness of the process on biocalcareous stone samples from an 18th century cathedral has been evaluated, and it w...

Water is the main factor of degradation in most stone monuments and buildings, and especially in those located next to the sea, since it acts as a vehicle for decay agents. The continuous exposure of the Baelo Claudia Roman archaeological site to marine aerosol has produced severe weathering. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a...

A novel alkoxysilane-based product was applied on limestone samples from a Roman archaeological site. The study consisted of an initial phase to evaluate site environmental conditions in order to choose the most suitable product type to be applied. The decay that was produced in the site is mainly caused by natural action, with water being the main...

Most products commonly employed in the restoration and conservation of cultural heritage stone have not been specifically developed to preserve such elements. In addition, they are plagued by limited performance and structural drawbacks such as low adhesion, poor penetration, and cracking. Another disadvantage is the requirement for most products t...

Water is the main vehicle of decay agents in Cultural Heritage building materials exposed to weathering. In this work, a simple method to produce superhydrophobic/oleophobic coatings building materials, including under outdoors conditions, has been developed. In addition, a study of the behavior of the developed coatings on different substrates (li...

Nowadays, producing building surfaces that prevent water and oil uptake and which present self-cleaning activity is still a challenge. In this study, amphiphobic (superhydrophobic and oleophobic) building surfaces were successfully produced. A simple and low-cost process was developed, which is applicable to large-scale building surfaces, according...

Superhydrophobic materials can find promising applications in the field of building. However, their application has been very limited because the synthesis routes involve tedious processes, preventing large-scale application. A second drawback is related to their short-term life under outdoor conditions. A simple and low-cost synthesis route for pr...