Chinese-Italian nanotechnology research helps preserve stone and repair historic Church of the Scalzi in Venice: paper
- Research team studies nine different ways to consolidate marble stones with patented combination of methods used in church restoration project
- Rome’s plan to quit Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative will not affect the collaboration, scientist says
The Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth, which overlooks the Grand Canal and is a prime example of Venetian Baroque architecture, is the beneficiary of a patented method developed to consolidate, or treat, marble stones damaged by time and the elements.
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The cutting-edge method could be used to restore landmarks of world-class cultural heritage – including the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column and the Victoria Memorial in London as well as historic sculptures – made from marble similar to the church.
The Church of Santa Maria di Nazareth is famous for its marble facade, which has intricate details and sculptures. However, in July 2013 a sage leaf element suddenly fell from it, prompting a project to restore the facade.
The research team, led by scientists at China’s Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xian and the CNR-Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources in Florence, Italy, found an “effective and enduring” method to consolidate marble stones after the design and systematic study of nine different treatment methods.
They discovered the combination of two commonly used consolidation products – nanosilica and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) – had the highest consolidating effect among all tested materials.
