Bioactive coatings based on nanodiamond-modified epoxy siloxane sols for stone materials

Using a sol-gel process, we have prepared bioactive organic-inorganic hybrid coatings based on epoxy siloxane sols modified with detonation nanodiamond. The microstructure of the coatings was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The coatings were tested—under both laboratory and urban conditions—for bioactivity against the mold fungi most frequently encountered in the air in large cities. The results suggest that such coatings are potentially attractive for protecting historic monuments from biodeterioration.