Structurally modulated fluoropolymers for conservation of monumental stones: Synthesis, stability and applications

Preparation of polymers consisting of macromolecules with fluorinated groups in the structure is achieved through the copolymerization of commercially available or specifically synthesized fluorinated acrylic comonomers with unfluorinated acrylates or vinylethers. If suitably selected, these fluoroacrylates can allow both control on the macromolecular structure and tailoring of material properties that are relevant for coating applications, such as film-forming behavior, adhesion, water repellency and intrinsic photostability. Several copolymers of fluorinated acrylates and methacrylates with unfluorinated methacrylates and vinyl ethers have been evaluated in terms of chemical stability under accelerated photoaging conditions, and their behavior as protective coating materials has been studied after application to various stone substrates that are commonly found in ancient buildings and objects of cultural significance.