Protective coatings based on silsesquioxane nanocomposite films for building limestones

The present paper reports on the evaluation of mineral composition of two porous limestones, i.e., a bioclastic limestone with large pore radii and grain size and a dolomitic one of small pore radii and grain size, used as monumental building stones, and on the influence of a new silicon-based hybrid polymer nanocomposite with silsesquioxane units (TMSPMA), used as protective coating material, on their composition and crystallographic properties. TMSPMA was obtained through radical polymerization of 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate in the presence of a primary amine surfactant, via sol–gel technique. TMSPMA protective coating was proved to act as water repellent or as consolidant, function of stone composition, structure and porosity.