Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-wpx69 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-22T06:53:10.698Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Use of Coupled Passivants and Consolidants on Calcite Mineral Surfaces

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Kathryn L. Nagy
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Geochemistry Department, Albuquerque, NM 87185–0750
Randall T. Cygan
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Geochemistry Department, Albuquerque, NM 87185–0750
Cathy S. Scotto
Affiliation:
Naval Research Laboratory, Optical Sciences Division, Washington, DC 20375–5338
C. Jeffrey Brinker
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Direct Fabrication Department, Albuquerque, NM 87185–1349
Carol S. Ashley
Affiliation:
Sandia National Laboratories, Direct Fabrication Department, Albuquerque, NM 87185–1349
Get access

Abstract

Deterioration of monuments, buildings, and works of art constructed of carbonate-based stone potentially can be arrested by applying a combination of chemical passivants and consolidants that prevent hydrolytic attack and mechanical weakening. We used molecular modeling and laboratory synthesis to develop an improved passivating agent for the calcite mineral surface based on binding strength and molecular packing density. The effectiveness of the passivating agent with and without a linked outer layer of consolidant against chemical weathering was determined through leaching tests conducted with a pH-stat apparatus at pH 5 and 25°C. For the range of molecules considered, modeling results indicate that the strongest-binding passivant is the trimethoxy dianionic form of silylalkylaminocarboxylate (SAAC). The same form of silylal-kylphosphonate (SAP) is the second strongest binder and the trisilanol neutral form of aminoethylaminopropylsilane (AEAPS) is ranked third. Short-term leaching tests on calcite powders coated with the trisilanol derivative of SAAC, the triethoxy neutral form of SAP, and the trimethoxy neutral form of AEAPS show that the passivant alone does not significantly slow the dissolution rate. However, all passivants when linked to the sol consolidant result in decreased rates. Combined AEAPS plus consolidant results in a coating that performs better than the commercial product Conservare® OH and at least as well as Conservare® H. The modeling results indicate that there may be a threshold binding energy for the passivant above which the dissolution rate of calcite is actually enhanced. More strongly-binding passivants may aid in the dissolution mechanism or dissociate in aqueous solution exposing the calcite surface to water.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Wheeler, G.S., Schein, A., Shearer, G., Su, S.H., and Blackwell, C.S., Analyt. Chem. 64, 347 A (1992).Google Scholar
2. Van Cappellen, P., Charlet, L., Stumm, W., and Wersin, P., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 57, 3505(1993).Google Scholar
3. Brinker, C.J., Sehgal, R., Hietala, S.L., Deshpande, R., Smith, D.M., Loy, D., and Ashley, C.S., J. Membrane Sci. 94, 85 (1994).Google Scholar
4. Plummer, L.N., Wigley, T.M.L., and Parkhurst, D.L., Amer. J. Sci. 278, 179 (1978).Google Scholar