Overall, the BIONA4ART project achieved its overall goal and particular objectives, which included the creation of a unique nacre-like organic-inorganic multilayered coating for stone heritage preservation. An extensive characterization of the organic substrate's role in templating the structure of mineralized layers, as well as the use of soluble additives (including small inorganic ions and large organic molecules such as proteins and polymers), has been carried out in order to obtain structural control of the layers, including their orientation, morphology, and hierarchical structure. Furthermore, the use of these nacre-like coatings as a novel surface treatment has been investigated on different stone substrates (marble and limestone) with varying porosity and mineralogical composition. The mechanical properties of the coatings, as well as the topological structures, local physical properties, and processes occurring at mineral surfaces, were investigated using advanced scanning force microscopy (SFM) methods. This approach resulted in a better understanding of the structures, local physical properties, and processes that occur at the mineral surfaces of the coating, as well as their relationship with the obtained mechanical properties. By adjusting the hierarchical architecture from the nanoscale to the microscale level while taking into account the characteristics of the material to be protected, the mechanical performance of the nacre-like coating was modulated. This had a direct effect on the effectiveness of the developed coatings in terms of their durability as protective coatings for stone materials. It is envisaged that the replication of biomineralization in natural systems by using polycarboxylate-induced calcite mineralization can provide long-term protection for stone materials used in cultural heritage.
In addition to research, the fellow participated in a number of carefully selected and focused training programs directed at boosting her expertise and giving new and transferrable skills. Several dissemination, communication, and exploitation actions were carried out to maximize the effect of the BIONA4ART project.
