Synthesis, characterization and DFT-modeling of novel agents for the protection and restoration of historical calcareous stone substrates

Ammonium N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate (AmPicOxam): A Novel Precursor of Calcium Oxalate Coating for Carbonate Stone Substrates

Ammonium N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate (AmPicOxam), synthesized from O-methyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate, was spectroscopically and structurally characterized and assayed as a novel precursor for the protection and consolidation of carbonate stone substrates. An in-depth characterization of treated and untreated biomicritic limestone and white Carrara marble samples was carried out by means of SEM microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, helium pycnometry, determination of water transport properties, and pull-off tests. The improved solubility (1.00 M, 16.5% w/w) of the title compound with respect to ammonium oxalate (0.4 M, 5% w/w) results in the formation of a thicker protective coating of calcium oxalate (CaOx) dihydrate (weddellite) on marble and biomicrite samples after the treatment with 5% and 12% w/w water solutions, producing a reduction in the stone porosity and increased cohesion. Theoretical calculations were carried out at the DFT level to investigate both the electronic structure of the N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)oxamate anion and the hydrolysis reaction leading from AmPicOxam to CaOx.

Preparation of calcium oxalate film on the surface of historic carbonate stone in a humid environment

Preparation of acid-resistant calcium oxalate film in a high-humidity environment without changing the original properties and appearance of carbonate stone.

Protection of Stone Monuments Using a Brushing Treatment with Ammonium Oxalate

Stone monuments and buildings are susceptible to weathering. Carbonate-based stones are especially vulnerable in acidic environments, whereas magmatic acidic stones are more susceptible to chemical weathering in basic environments. To slow down surface corrosion of limestone and marble artworks/buildings, protective coatings which inhibit calcite dissolution have been proposed. In this work, samples from two stone types with different porosity were treated with ammonium oxalate (AmOx) to create a protective layer of calcium oxalate (CaOx) using the previously developed brushing method. Two different synchrotron microscopy experiments were performed to determine its protective capability. X-ray powder diffraction (SR-μ-XRPD) in transmission geometry allowed visualization of the distributions of calcium carbonate and oxalates along the sample depths. In a second step, X-ray fluorescence (SR-μ-XRF) was used to check the efficiency/integrity of the protective surface coating layer. This was done by measuring the sulfur distribution on the stone surface after exposing the protected stones to sulfuric acid. XRPD showed the formation of a protective oxalate layer with a thickness of 5–15 µm on the less porous stone, while a 20–30 µm thick layer formed on the more porous stone. The XRF study showed that the optimal treatment time depends on the stone porosity. Increasing the treatment time from 1 to 3 h resulted in a decreased efficiency of the protective layer for the low porosity stone. We assume that this is due to the formation of vertical channels (cracks) in the protective layer.

Ammonium monoethyloxalate (AmEtOx): a new agent for the conservation of carbonate stone substrates

Ammonium monoethyloxalate (AmEtOx) is proposed as a consolidanting agent for carbonate stones such as biomicritic limestone and marble, resulting in the formation of a microcrystalline passivating phase of calcium oxalate (whewellite and weddellite).

Mechanical properties of anhydrous oxalic acid and oxalic acid dihydrate

The mechanical properties of oxalic acid dihydrate and anhydrous oxalic acid (α and β polymorphic forms) were obtained by using rigorous theoretical solid-state methods based on density functional theory using plane waves and pseudopotentials.

Density functional theory modelling of protective agents for carbonate stones: a case study of oxalate and oxamate inorganic salts

DFT calculations allowed investigating the ability of oxalate monoesters and monoamides salts to act as protective agents for carbonate stones, such as marble or limestones, of historical interest in the field of cultural heritage.

Oxamate salts as novel agents for the restoration of marble and limestone substrates: case study of ammonium N-phenyloxamate

The treatment of calcareous stone substrates, such as weathered marble and biomicritic limestone, with ammonium N-phenyloxamate results in the deposition of the corresponding monohydrated calcium salt.