Bio-Stimulated Surface Healing of Historical and Compatible Conservation Mortars.

The main focus of this research was the bio-stimulated healing of cracks in lime mortar samples (historical and newly designed). The investigation started from comprehensive characterisation of historical mortars, while in the next stage a compatible conservation mortar was designed and characterised, with special attention given to the contact zone formation between original and conservation mortars. The next step was the design of a bio-stimulating crack-sealing agent, a two-component liquid system: bacteria culture DSM 33 and nutrients.

Influence of Pore-Size Distribution on the Resistance of Clay Brick to Freeze-Thaw Cycles.

This study examines the influence of raw material characteristics, methods of shaping and of parameters of firing process of clay bricks, on pore-size distribution and on resistance to freeze-thaw cycles (with particular emphasis on the retention time of the specimens at the maximum achieved temperature). Pore-size distribution was measured by mercury-intrusion porosimetry, while the resistance to freeze-thaw cycles was assessed by exposing the bricks to freeze-thaw cycles (HRN B.D8.

Efficiency of Novel Photocatalytic Coating and Consolidants for Protection of Valuable Mineral Substrates.

In the process of protection and consolidation of valuable materials, the efficiency is the crucial property that needs to be considered. TiO₂/ZnAl layered double hydroxide (LDH) coating and silicate- and carbonate-based consolidants were synthesized and proposed to be used for protection and consolidation of four porous mineral substrates: brick, stone, render and mortar. The photocatalytic efficiency of TiO₂/ZnAl LDH coating, as well as consolidation efficiency of two consolidants, both applied on model substrates, were studied.

Antifungal efficiency assessment of the TiO2 coating on façade paints.

The work studies the photocatalytic activity and the antifungal efficiency of the TiO2/Zn-Al coatings placed on the target commercial façade paints. The photocatalytic active nanocomposite based on TiO2 and Zn-Al-layered double hydroxides (ZnAl-LDHs) was synthesized by a wet impregnation technique with 3 % w/w TiO2. The freshly prepared suspension was applied by spray technique on the surfaces of the white façade paints.

Preliminary evaluation of galvanic sludge immobilization in clay-based matrix as an environmentally safe process.

This study attempts to determine the possibilities and limitations of the immobilization of galvanic wastes by their incorporation into clay-based materials. It focuses on the effects of several processing parameters such as the temperature of thermal treatment, the relative amount of sludge, and the physico-chemical aspects of the sample, on the fixing level of relevant metals (Zn, Ni, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Cr) in thermally treated clay-based samples. The effectiveness of sludge inactivation was assessed by water-leaching test and conductivity measurements.

Evaluation of the effect of lichens on ceramic roofing tiles by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analyses.

The effect of the actions of some lichens on the quality of ceramic roofing tiles was investigated in view of textural and microstructural changes considering their biocorrosion resistance. Two types (extruded and pressed) of the real ceramic roofing tiles aged 6 to 10 years, as well as the ceramic model systems formed with the additives of the specific chemical composition Cu-slag powder (10 wt%) and CuO powder (1 wt%), treated with various concentrations of oxalic acid (0.01 wt%, 0.