Passivation of the calcite surface with phenylmalonate and benzylmalonate ions.

We explored the affinity of calcite to adsorbed organic molecules as an approach to the conservation of cultural heritage built of marble and limestone. The utilization of phenylmalonic and benzylmalonic acids provided a hydrophobic adsorptive interface, adequate to prevent processes of aqueous weathering. Samples of marble powder (polycrystalline calcite) were impregnated with solutions of phenylmalonic and benzylmalonic acid at three concentrations (5 x 10(-2), 5 x 10(-3), and 5 x 10(-4) M) and different pH values (6.00, 7.00, and 8.00). The surface charge of the calcite suspensions was determined by potentiometric measurements under equilibrium conditions at room temperature in aqueous solution of the dicarboxylic acids, in order to understand the influence of the electrokinetic potential in the surface association. The adsorbed amounts were determined by calculation of the thermodynamic equilibria of solutions. The presence of the organic interface on the mineral surface was corroborated by Raman spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results indicate effective adsorption of both dicarboxylic acids as a function of the concentration and pH, and several other conditions that favors coulombic interaction, an absence of electrophoretic mobility or surface electroneutrality related to the solid surface potentials. The coverage of pores by dicarboxylic adsorbate modified the geometrical pore shape and the pore size distribution, filling all the pores of larger than 80 A diameter, giving as a result a mesoporous structure. This change in the surface morphology by organic adsorbates constitutes a modification in the diffusional processes of the environment on the mineral surface.

Passivation of the calcite surface with malonate ion.

Samples of polycrystalline calcite were impregnated with solutions of malonic acid of three concentrations (5 x 10(-2), 5 x 10(-3) , and 5 x 10(-4) M) and different pH values (6.00, 7.00, and 8.00). The impregnation was carried out at room temperature to evaluate the adsorption of malonate ion in the calcite surface to optimize the conditions for possible application on limestone and marble in cultural heritage materials. The affinity of the malonate ion was determined through the potentiometric measurement of the surface charge and the corresponding adsorbed amounts by titration, Raman spectroscopy, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The results indicate effective adsorption of the malonate ion on the surface at a pH value close to the point of zero charge (pHpzc approximately 8.20) and changes in some surface morphological properties such as the pore shape and the pore size distribution. The presence of a malonate adsorptive layer on calcite generates an interface interaction potential that may influence the reaction and transport mechanisms within the medium.