Improving the Consolidating Efficiency of Acrylic Polymers by Incorporating Silica and Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles: A Case Study on Fired Bricks at the Ibn Tulun Aqueduct, Egypt | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Chemistry | ||||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 26 August 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejchem.2025.396868.11947 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Mahmoud Adam1; Mohamed Shaker2; Shaymaa El-Sayed El-Shafey  3; Sherif Omar4
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| 1College of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage - The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Egypt, New Vally branch | ||||
| 2MSc Researcher, Department of Inorganic Conservation, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University | ||||
| 3National ResSurface chemistry and Catalysis Laboratory, Physical Chemistry Department, National Research Centre, 33 El – Bohouth, P.O. Box 12622, Giza, Egypt earch Center | ||||
| 4Department of Inorganic Conservation, Faculty of Archaeology, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12613, Giza 12221, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Abstract The fired bricks of archaeological supply facilities—particularly the Ahmed Ibn Tulun Aqueduct, dating to the Abbasid period (875 AD)—have received limited attention in terms of integrated conservation. This study aims to identify the main deterioration factors affecting these bricks and to assess the effectiveness of selected nanocomposites for their consolidation and protection. A comprehensive methodology was applied, including examination, analysis, and evaluation using USB digital microscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Consolidants were prepared using silica (SiO₂) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles (mean particle diameter < 30 nm as confirmed by TEM) at 3% and 5% concentrations, dispersed in an acrylic copolymer matrix (Paraloid B72: 70% ethyl methacrylate, 30% methyl acrylate). Treated, untreated, and artificially aged samples were evaluated for physical and mechanical properties, colorimetric changes, and water contact angle. Quantitative results showed that the SiO₂/Paraloid B72 nanocomposite at 5% concentration increased compressive strength from 88.05 kg/cm² (untreated) to 231.21 kg/cm², and achieved a static water contact angle of 107°, indicating bo th enhanced mechanical strength and strong water repellenc. Results demonstrated that both SiO₂ and CaCO₃ nanocomposites significantly enhanced compressive strength, with the SiO₂/Paraloid B72 nanocomposite at 3% achieving the best overall performance—particularly in improving water repellency while maintaining the original appearance of the fried bricks, and showing excellent material compatibility and durability properties of prepared materials. The CaCO₃/Paraloid B72 nanocomposite ranked second in performance; however, the 5% formulation caused slight chromatic alteration and less effective water repellency, indicating the need for concentration adjustments to improve its conservation applicability. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| : Fired brick; Acrylic polymers; Silica nanoparticles; Calcium carbonate nanoparticles; consolidation; Ahmed Ibn Tulun aqueduct | ||||
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