@article {124274,
	title = {Utilization of TiO2 Nanoparticles to Protect Limestone Artifacts against Microorganisms Attack},
	journal = {Cebter for the Glogal study of Cultural Heritage and Culture},
	volume = {3},
	year = {2015},
	pages = {111-122},
	abstract = {<p>Limestone artifacts are susceptible to be attacked by bacteria and fungi. This study aims to explore the utilization of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles for protecting limestone artifacts against fungal attack. Isolate microorganisms, primarily fungi, were identified by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and light microscope (LM). Six different fungal species were detected, Fusarium solani, Stemphylium sp., Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. versicolor and Curvularia geniculata along with Actinomyces spp. All of these microorganisms caused deterioration of the elemental contents of the used stone. Actinomyces spp. and fungi were able to consume calcium carbonate as a carbon source, reducing the content of all the detected elements, including (e.g. silica, alumina and magnesia etc.) compared to the control sample. Coating of the surface of limestone slabs with a consolidated mixture formed of 2\% TiO2 nanoparticles dissolved in B-72 at a concentration of 5\% and its effects on A. niger colonization were assessed. Coating of the slab surfaces with TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in good consolidation, with these nanoparticles displaying excellent antifungal activity; suggesting that coating of limestone artifacts with TiO2 nanoparticles can protect them against fungal activity<br />
 .</p>
},
	author = {Maisa M.A. Mansour and Adel I. M. Akarish and Hiroshi SUITA and Ahmed S. A. Shoeib}
}
