Producing self-cleaning, transparent and hydrophobic SiO2-crystalline TiO2 nanocomposites at ambient conditions for stone protection and consolidationProducing self-cleaning, transparent and hydrophobic SiO2-crystalline TiO2 nanocomposites at ambient conditions for stone protection and consolidation Κεφάλαιο σε Βιβλίο Book Chapter 2018-06-212016enThree innovative strengthening, protective and self-cleaning agents for marble and calcareous stones were synthesized by using a simple sol-gel route at ambient conditions. TiO2 nanoparticles and hydroxyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were incorporated in a tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) matrix in the presence of oxalic acid (Ox). Both the Ox concentration and the addition sequence of the reagent agents were assessed through the evaluation of the microstructure and of the physicochemical and self-cleaning properties of all the synthesized nanocomposites. The presence of Ox contributed to the production of both homogeneous materials and photoactive independent domains of anatase TiO2 crystals at ambient conditions. In addition, the role played by Ox as a hole-scavenger increased the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposites. The synthesized crack-free, homogeneous, transparent and photoactive nanocomposites provide self-cleaning, water repellency and consolidation properties to building substrates, while respecting their aesthetic qualities.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Self-cleaning Coatings: Structure, Fabrication and Application Kapridaki Chrysi Καπριδακη Χρυση Pinho Luís Mosquera Maria J. Maravelaki Pagona-Noni Μαραβελακη Παγωνα Royal Society of Chemistry Nanocomposites Oxalic acid Polydimethylsiloxane Silicones Sol-gel process Sol-gels Titanium dioxide Aesthetic qualities Ambient conditions Consolidation properties Homogeneous materials Hydroxyl-terminated Photocatalytic activities Polydimethylsiloxane PDMS Self-cleaning properties Cleaning