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In Situ and Frontal Polymerization for the Consolidation of Porous Stones: A Unilateral NMR and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Noemi Proietti,^† Donatella Capitani,*^† Sara Cozzolino,^‡ Massimiliano Valentini,^§ Enrico Pedemonte,^# Elisabetta Princi,^# Silvia Vicini,^# and Anna Laura Segre^†

Institute of Chemical Methodologies, CNR, Research Area of Rome, 00016 Monterotondo Stazione, Rome, Italy, SMAArt Center and Department of Chemistry, University of Perugia, via Elce di Sotto 8, 06123 Perugia, Italy, Agricultural Research Council, Experimental Institute for Plant Nutrition, Instrumental Center of Tor Mancina, Via della Neve Km 1, 00016 Monterotondo, Rome, Italy, and Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Genoa, via Dodecaneso 31, 16146, Genoa, Italy

J. Phys. Chem. B, 2006, 110 (47), pp 23719–23728

DOI: 10.1021/jp063219u

Publication Date (Web): November 9, 2006

†

Institute of Chemical Methodologies, CNR.

In papers with more than one author, the asterisk indicates the name of the author to whom inquiries about the paper should be addressed.

‡

University of Perugia.

Experimental Institute for Plant Nutrition.

University of Genoa.

Abstract

Consolidation treatment of porous materials was performed by in situ and frontal polymerization of acrylic monomers inside a porous stone. To study the penetration of the polymer inside the stone and its consolidating effects we used water as a contrast agent, detecting its penetration using unilateral NMR and magnetic resonance imaging. All data obtained on differently treated stones were compared with corresponding ones obtained analyzing both untreated stones and stones simply painted with a well-known polymeric protective agent. In situ polymerization of acrylic monomers inside porous stones has been demonstrated to be an extremely powerful consolidating method, whereas thermally initiated frontal polymerization seems less efficient. In both cases the optimal choice of monomers is still open and requires further study. Our data indicate that unilateral NMR represents an inexpensive and simple technique for the non-invasive observation of the water uptake and of the effect of consolidation procedures in porous materials.

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