- GRANT NUMBER: 898179—FAÇADE—H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
- PROJECT TITLE: FAçade bio-CArbon based anti UV coating to prevent DEterioration of wooden buildings (FAÇADE)
- PROJECT LEADER: Laetitia Marrot, PhD
- PROJECT SUPERVISOR: David B. DeVallance, PhD
- PERIOD: 01.04.2020 – 31.03.2022
- BUDGET: €150,040.32
- FINANCING: EU, Horizon 2020–H2020-MSCA-IF-2019 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (Standard European Fellowships)
- PROJECT COORDINATOR: InnoRenew CoE (Slovenia)
Façades play a crucial role in building safety, comfort and aesthetics, acting as an envelope that is in constant interaction with the outside environment. Ultraviolet (UV) solar radiation absorbed by lignin (which constitutes up to 40 percent of wood) initiates the wood weathering process that induces color changes, loosens and erodes surface fibers and allows deep penetration of humidity, causing checks and a raised grain. It is crucial to limit weathering effects that can lead to wood deterioration by using coatings to protect its surface. UV absorbers enhance wood durability outdoors by absorbing incident radiation and converting it into heat, which is then dissipated. Carbon-based materials are potential UV stabilizers thanks to combined effects of physical screen, UV absorbance and radical trap. Bio-carbon is a carbon-based product obtained from thermal decomposition of organic materials at elevated temperatures. Organic materials can be wastes with little or no economic value from the agricultural or forest industries. Bio-carbon presents a wide range of properties that can be tailored by the manufacturing process.
The FAÇADE project proposes to develop a competitive, sustainable bio-sourced anti-UV coating to protect wooden façades using bio-carbon as a UV-stabilizer. The FAÇADE project tackles challenging concepts with innovative solutions and is expected to provide breakthroughs for advancing the use of bio-carbon in new applications and prove a fundamental understanding of the UV protection mechanisms of nanoscale carbon particles.
InnoRenew CoE project activities
This is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship awarded to Dr Laetitia Marrot to carry out the FAÇADE project under the mentorship of Dr David DeVallance within InnoRenew CoE’s Renewable Materials Composites research group. In addition to her scientific contributions, Dr Marrot will mentor young researchers, organize events and manage projects under FAÇADE’s umbrella at InnoRenew CoE.
