In this work, the potential of bio‐inspired strategies for the synthesis of calcium sulfate (CaSO4·nH2O) materials for heritage conservation is explored. For this, a nonclassical multi‐step crystallization mechanism to understand the effect of calcein– a fluorescent chelating agent with a high affinity for divalent cations— on the nucleation and growth of calcium sulfate phases is proposed. Moving from the nano‐ to the macro‐scale, this strategy sets the basis for the design and production of fluorescent nano‐bassanite (NB‐C; CaSO4·0.5H2O), with application as a fully compatible consolidant for the conservation of historic plasterwork. Once applied to gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) plaster specimens, cementation upon hydration of nano‐bassanite results in a significant increase in mechanical strength, while intracrystalline occlusion of calcein in newly‐formed gypsum cement improves its weathering resistance. Furthermore, under UV irradiation, the luminescence produced by calcein molecules occluded in gypsum crystals formed upon nano‐bassanite hydration allows the easy identification of the newly deposited consolidant within the treated gypsum plaster without altering the substrate's appearance.

中文翻译：

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用于保护石膏灰泥的仿生荧光硫酸钙


在这项工作中，探索了仿生策略合成硫酸钙（CaSO4·nH2O）材料用于遗产保护的潜力。为此，提出了一种非经典的多步结晶机制，以了解钙黄绿素（一种对二价阳离子具有高亲和力的荧光螯合剂）对硫酸钙相的成核和生长的影响。从纳米尺度转向宏观尺度，该策略为荧光纳米硅石（NB-C；CaSO4·0.5H2O）的设计和生产奠定了基础，并作为完全兼容的固结剂用于保护历史石膏制品。一旦应用于石膏（CaSO4·2H2O）石膏样本，纳米硅石水合后的胶结会导致机械强度显着增加，而新形成的石膏水泥中钙黄绿素的晶内吸留提高了其耐候性。此外，在紫外线照射下，纳米硅石水合形成的石膏晶体中的钙黄绿素分子产生的发光可以轻松识别经过处理的石膏内新沉积的固结剂，而不改变基材的外观。