SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY HYBRID NANOCOMPOSITE COATING

In this research, a kind of environmentally-friendly inorganic-organic hybrid nanocomposite coating based on silica containing titania/silica core/shell nanoparticles was synthesized and characterized for conservation of facade tiles in historical buildings. The matrix of the composite was prepared by sol-gel process via two methods of ultrasonic and reflux stirring. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and poly-dimethyl siloxane hydroxy-terminated (PDMS-OH) were used for the formation of silica network and creation of flexibility and hydrophobicity, respectively. Titania nanoparticles were used in the form of titania/silica core/shell as ultraviolet absorber. The synthesized nanocomposite was applied on the microscope slides and tiles by dip coating technique. The properties of nanoparticles and coatings were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and water contact angle measurement. The results revealed that formation of titania/silica core/shell structure was successful. The investigation of PDMS content effect on transparency, cohesion and hydrophobicity of the coating confirmed that the optimum content of this siloxane was around 20 wt.%. In general, the results showed that the silica-based hybrid nanocomposite reinforced with TiO2/SiO2 core/shell nanoparticles could produce a transparent and hydrophobic coating for tile and glass protection.