Abstract

The application of photocatalytic and self-cleaning nanomaterials in the field of architectural heritage is an encouraging strategy for stone conservation and particularly for marble elements. In the present research, self‐cleaning nanocomposites were set-up by mixing water dispersions of TiO2 nanoparticles in commercial protective treatments based on organosiloxanes, fluoropolyethers and functionalized SiO2. The pure anatase phase nanoparticles used for their preparation are photoactive under solar light, in addition to UV radiation, due to their benzyl surface capping resulting in an increase of their efficiency in the degradation of pollutants. The nanomaterials applied on Carrara marble specimens show better performance in terms of surface colour compatibility and water repellency compared to traditional protective products. Actually, the introduction of nano‐TiO2 plays a role in the increase of the surface roughness, with a consequent reduction of the surface wettability