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Abstract: This paper presents the evaluation of titanium dioxide nanoparticulate enhanced silane/siloxane emulsions and their resistance to biofouling by algal colonisation. Varying amounts of titanium dioxide nanoparticulates were incorporated into silane/siloxane emulsions and bioreceptivity assessed. A culture streaming study was conducted to evaluate each treatment using mortar samples. Characterisation of the treatments included assessment of the porosity, surface roughness, sorptivity, hydrophobicity, treatment depth and visual aesthetical alteration. The results showed that titanium dioxide nanoparticulate incorporation did not adversely alter treatment penetration. All titanium dioxide treatments imparted superhydrophobic water repellent attributes while effectively conserving the morphology of the substrate. It was concluded that the reduced bioreceptivity observed primarily stemmed from the nanoparticulates ability to photocatalytically breakdown contaminants and that only a small concentration was required to achieve vastly significant improvements at concentrations <0.5 %wt. The presented treatments had negligible impact on visual aesthetics of the substrate making them ideal for future retrofit and heritage remediation schemes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents the evaluation of zinc and titanium nano-oxide silane/siloxane emulsions and their resistance to biofouling by algal colonisation. A culture streaming study was conducted to evaluate each treatment using mortar samples. Characterisation of the treatments included assessment of the porosity, surface roughness, sorptivity, hydrophobicity, treatment depth and visual alteration. The results showed that nanoparticulate incorporation did not adversely alter treatment penetration. Nanoparticulate treatments improved water repellence significantly while effectively conserving the morphology of the substrate. Treatments had negligible impact on visual aesthetics of the substrate making them ideal for future retrofit and heritage schemes. It was concluded that the reduced bioreceptivity observed primarily stemmed from the nanoparticulates ability to photocatalytically breakdown contaminants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Silver nanoparticulate enhanced aqueous silane/siloxane emulsions and their efficacy against biofouling mechanisms are presented within this study. Different concentrations of silver nanoparticulates were added into viscous shear-thinning aqueous treatments and key attributes required for facade remedial applications assessed. Water repellence, biofouling resistance, and aesthetical alteration were studied to assess key treatment attributes. In addition, assessment of the porosity, sorptivity, and treatment depth was used to identify penetration and facade protection efficacy and morphological alteration of the masonry substrate. Results showed that silver nanoparticulate incorporation did not impede treatment penetration, better water repellent attributes were achieved with increased concentration while effectively conserving the morphology and aesthetics of the substrate. It was concluded that the reduced bioreceptivity observed primarily stemmed from the silver nanoparticulates ability to sanitise the surface, and that only small concentrations (<0.5%wt) were required to attain significantly beneficial improvements. Treatments were deemed practically and commercially viable for retrofit and heritage projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]