IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v18y2026i9p4170-d1926136.html

Next-Generation Sustainable Adobe Materials: Multifunctional Coatings Based on LaFeO 3 Nanoparticles and Hydro- and Oleo-Repellent Formulations

Author

Listed:
  • Víctor M. Tena-Santafé

    (Materials and Cultural Heritage (MATCH) Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Navarra, Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Loucas Kyriakou

    (Materials and Cultural Heritage (MATCH) Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Navarra, Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Gurbir Kaur

    (Materials and Cultural Heritage (MATCH) Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Navarra, Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
    Department of Civil Engineering, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala 147004, Punjab, India)

  • José M. Fernández

    (Materials and Cultural Heritage (MATCH) Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Navarra, Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Íñigo Navarro-Blasco

    (Materials and Cultural Heritage (MATCH) Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Navarra, Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • José I. Álvarez

    (Materials and Cultural Heritage (MATCH) Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Navarra, Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

Abstract

Adobe is a sustainable yet highly porous construction material, inherently vulnerable to moisture and environmental pollution, which poses challenges for both contemporary construction and heritage conservation. This study presents multifunctional coatings that combine hydrophobic/oleophobic and photocatalytic properties to enhance adobe durability. The coatings incorporate nano-heterostructured LaFeO 3 photocatalysts into water-repellent and hydro-oleo-repellent formulations, selected to preserve the characteristic dark brown color of adobe. Microstructural analyses revealed the formation of non-uniform protective layers, particularly in hydro-oleo-repellent systems, which influenced performance. The treated surfaces exhibited significant water and oil repellency, while maintaining adequate vapor permeability. Durability tests confirmed improved resistance to water ingress, reduced capillary absorption, and enhanced erosion resistance compared to untreated adobe. Sustainability assessments highlighted the environmental and economic benefits of the proposed approach, especially when using locally sourced materials. Overall, this work proposes a scalable and multifunctional strategy that integrates protective and photocatalytic functionalities to extend the service life of both historical and modern adobe structures.

Suggested Citation

  • Víctor M. Tena-Santafé & Loucas Kyriakou & Gurbir Kaur & José M. Fernández & Íñigo Navarro-Blasco & José I. Álvarez, 2026. "Next-Generation Sustainable Adobe Materials: Multifunctional Coatings Based on LaFeO 3 Nanoparticles and Hydro- and Oleo-Repellent Formulations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-49, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:9:p:4170-:d:1926136
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/18/9/4170/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/18/9/4170/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:9:p:4170-:d:1926136. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.