The multianalitical study has comprised spectrophotometry, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, confocal laser scanner, polarized optical and environmental scanning electron microscopies, with EDS microanalysis, FTIR-ATR and Raman spectroscopy.
The results achieved pointed out that: a) clay mortars with quartz and calcite inclusions were used as coating a number of traditional style façades, in concordance with the composition of the local materials, b) anorthite and sanidine feldspars, calcic clinopyroxene (augite/diopside) and zeolite-type phillipsite constituted the accessory phases, c) a lesser clay content on the earthen mortars were the main technological modifications used to fill in the stone blocks of 19th c. buildings, resulting a main phase of quartz, vastly blended with sanidino feldspar, albite and anorthoclase, d) lime-based mortars are found in all the building styles. High peaks of this group correspond to calcite, i.e. a lime mortar with sand aggregates, mostly quartz, feldspars and micas. Olivine and clinopyroxenes denote the volcanic phases, e) first colour layers applied in all buildings consist of calcium sulphate and/or carbonate (CaSO4 / CaCO3), at times with iron-based pigments (FeO2) and silicate aggregates, e) exotic pigments coming from international commercial exchanges as lapislazuli (Na7Al6Si6O24S3), were introduced during the 18th century, f) poisonous pigments used mainly in building heritage constructed by wealthy owners during the 19th century have been used, such as lead white (PbCO3), and Sheele or Emerald greens 3Cu(AsO2)2Cu(CH3COO)2, g) more recent colour layers are mainly recognized by the use of synthetic pigments, such as the zinc yellow (K2O4ZnCrO43H2O), used in façades built in the middle of the 19th century, g) the evolution of white pigments towards less poisonous ones promoted by the industry, such as Lithopone (ZnS·BaSO4) and Barium white (BaSO4) were detected, and h) dioxide of titanium (TiO2), white pigment widely used from the 1930s indicates recent applications during maintenance after the date of construction of the building analysed.
The present MSCA was characterized by the publication of 2 scientific papers (+2 in progress) -all available in Open Access-, dissemination at 5 international conferences, 2 invited seminar lectures and 4 workshops. Data were also submitted to open access repositories (IT SYGMA tool and IRIS Institutional Archive of UNIPD and Open Research Europe platform). In addition, outreach activities were performed by the fellow with the support of the International Research Office of UNIPD. The European Union funding has been acknowledged in all the dissemination activities developed under the project.
