Transdisciplinary approach for the modern formulation of construction materials, a paradigm shift in the protection of immovable cultural heritage
PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0286 (77PED/2025)
Ancient monuments and structures endorse our historical past, bearing testimony to past events, concerns for the preservation and enhancement of the cultural heritage in the past decade being a challenge for the specialists.
Project goal
The main scientific objective of the project ConstructHer is to propose a promising, cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to the currently used solutions, with multi-valent use (both for cultural heritage protection and for civil constructions with special requirements, such as hospitals, etc.,) based on development of technologies for obtaining constructions materials (plastering mortars, cement, plaster) with biocidal and photocatalytic properties, due to its enrichment with natural compounds and metallic nanoparticles obtained via “green chemistry routes” from natural resources (plant extracts).
Contracting authority: Executive Unit for Financing Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation (UEFISCDI)
Implementation period: 05/05/2025-04/05/2027
Total budget: 843.512 lei
Value from the state budget: 746.162 lei
Co-financing: 97.350 lei
Project director: Dr. Habil. Irina Fierăscu
Coordinator:
National Institute for Research & Development in Chemistry and Petrochemistry – ICECHIM Bucharest
Project director: Dr. Habil. Irina Fierăscu
Partner:
Partner responsible: Dr. Eng. Adriana Moanță
The challenge of the ConstructHer project is to obtain tuned morphologies of the metallic nanoparticles and to find optimal ratio of the component of the construction material (ratio solid: liquid), in order to obtain a maximum antibacterial effect (an important factor is the tendency of nanoparticles to aggregate and agglomerate, which significantly influences their effectiveness; the optimal use and dispersion of nanoparticles, in quantities that ensure the antibacterial properties of the building material, while maintaining the mechanical parameters at least at the same level).
Development and establishment under laboratory conditions of an integrated research strategy to obtain innovative materials for conservation/restoration.
Implementation period: 05/05/2025 – 31/12/2025
Activities:
- Development of optimal protocols (under laboratory conditions) of extraction methods with maximum extraction yield for phytoconstituents from plants and AgNP phytosynthesis;
- Development of simulated models (plaster mortar, cement, gypsum, etc., compatible with the constituent elements of immovable cultural heritage) to test the antibacterial and photocatalytic effect of the obtained extracts and nanoparticles;
- Development of analytical methods and protocols for the characterization and chemical analysis, analysis of the antibacterial and photocatalytic effect of the obtained extracts and nanoparticles;
- Development of optimal protocols of methods for the formulation and characterization of building materials (plaster mortar, cement, gypsum) by adding plant extracts and AgNP;
- Obtaining and characterizing innovative materials; demonstrating the functionality of the proposed technical solution – Part I;
- Obtaining and characterizing building materials – Part I;
- Dissemination of scientific results through the submission of scientific articles and participation in scientific events;
- Project dissemination.
Obtaining and characterizing innovative materials; demonstrating the functionality of the proposed technical solution at laboratory scale.
Implementation period: 01/01/2026 – 31/12/2026
Activities:
- Implementation of methods for the synthesis and chemical characterization of extracts and nanoparticles from at least 2 plants from the Lamiaceae family – Part II;
- Evaluation of the antimicrobial and photocatalytic effect of the obtained solutions;
- Obtaining and characterizing construction materials – Part II;
- Evaluation of the antimicrobial and photocatalytic effect of the obtained construction materials;
- Optimization of recipes for obtaining extracts and adapting the NP morphology according to the results obtained;
- Demonstration of the effectiveness of construction materials for optimized extracts;
- Establishment of optimal ratios of materials in the proposed innovative recipes, in order to obtain maximum antimicrobial and photocatalytic effects – Part I;
- Results and project dissemination.
Demonstrating the functionality of the proposed solutions and preparing technical documentation for the obtained products.
Implementation period: 01/01/2027 – 04/05/2027
Activities:
- Establishing optimal material ratios in the proposed innovative recipes to achieve maximum antimicrobial and photocatalytic effects – Part II;
- Development and characterization of optimal construction material recipes;
- Completion of activities to demonstrate the efficiency and functionality of the proposed solutions by evaluating the stability and toxicity of optimized extracts and nanoparticles;
- Third-party validation of the obtained material to evaluate the antimicrobial and photocatalytic effect;
- Development of technical documentation for technology and products for patent application;
- Results and project dissemination.
- 8 participations in scientific events;
- 4 scientific papers submitted for publication in Web of Science/Clarivate journals
- Organization of one workshop on the project
- One patent application
- Other communication and dissemination measures
- Barbu, C.A.; Fierascu, I.; Semenescu, A.; Cotrut, C.M. Critical Review Regarding the Application of Plant Extracts as Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors—A Sustainable Interdisciplinary Approach. Molecules 2025, 30, 3722. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30183722
- Innovative cross-disciplinary strategies in developing modern construction materials, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Irina Fierascu, Toma Fistos, Roxana Ioana Matei, Anda Maria Baroi, Ioana Silvia Hosu, Adriana Moanta, Ionela Petre, XIVth Edition of LACONA, 09-12.09.2025, Bucharest
- Bio-Derived Materials for Heritage Restoration: Integrating Plant Extracts and Metallic Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Functionality, Irina Fierascu, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Roxana Ioana Matei, Toma Fistos, Ioana Silvia Hosu, Cristina Firinca, Bogdan Trica, XIVth Conference on Oxide Materials Science and Engineering – CONSILOX, 11-13.09.2025, Oradea
- “Green solutions” for cultural heritage protection: a sustainable approach through interdisciplinary innovation, Irina Fierascu, Anda Maria Baroi, Roxana Ioana Matei, Toma Fistos, Ioana Silvia Hosu, Irina Elena Chican, Cristina Enascuta, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Moanta Adriana, Prioritățile Chimiei Pentru O Dezvoltare Durabilă, Priochem XXI, 15-17.10.2025, Bucharest, PRIOCHEM Book of Abstracts, no. 21/2025, ISSN 2601 – 419X and ISSN-L 2601 – 4181, pp. 106
- Transdisciplinary approach for the modern formulation of construction materials, a paradigm shift in the protection of immovable cultural heritage – Irina Fierascu, Adriana Moanta, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Toma Fistos, Ionela Petre, Jenica Paceagiu – ‘Traian Vuia’ International Exhibition of Inventions and Innovations, Timisoara – 03-05.10.2025; Gold Medal – UNST Politehnica Bucuresti; Certificate of Excellence – Constantin Brancusi University of Targu Jiu; Diploma and gold medal of the salon;
- Transdisciplinary approach for the modern formulation of construction materials, a paradigm shift in the protection of immovable cultural heritage – Irina Fierascu, Adriana Moanta, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Toma Fistos, Ionela Petre, Jenica Paceagiu – Proinvent Edition 22, 2025, Cluj Napoca: Diploma of Excellence and Gold Medal ProInvent;Diploma of Excellence with Special Award – State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testimitanu” of the Republic of Moldova; Diploma – ANSP Republic of Moldova; Outstanding Performance Award – Romvac Company SA
- Transdisciplinary approach for the modern formulation of construction materials, a paradigm shift in the protection of immovable cultural heritage – Irina Fierascu, Adriana Moanta, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Toma Fistos, Ionela Petre, Jenica Paceagiu – Europolitehnicus, 2025, November 21-23, Bucharest – Diploma and gold medal of the salon; Special Prize Diploma – “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu
- Transdisciplinary approach for the modern formulation of construction materials, a paradigm shift in the protection of immovable cultural heritage – Irina Fierascu, Adriana Moanta, Radu Claudiu Fierascu, Toma Fistos, Ionela Petre, Jenica Paceagiu – FITT Muntenia, Targoviste, November 17-20, 2025: Diploma and gold medal from the organizers; part of the ICECHIM delegation awarded the grand prize of the festival.
- Ecological mortars with plant extracts for applications in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage” A Moanță, I Petre, C Munteanu, A M Baroi, T Fistos, R I Matei, 14th conference on the science and engineering of oxide materials, 11-13.09.2025, Oradea
- “Transdisciplinary approach for the modern formulation of construction materials, a paradigm shift in the protection of immovable cultural heritage”, Irina Fierascu, Adriana Moanta – organized within the Priorities of Chemistry for a Sustainable Development, Priochem XXI, 15-17.10.2025, Bucharest – on 14.10.2025 – 20 participants. PRIOCHEM XXI Book of Abstracts, ISSN 2601 – 419X and ISSN-L 2601 – 4181, pp. 128.
Under construction
- Facebook post (ICECHIM)
- Facebook post (Group 7 ICECHIM)
- LinkedIn post
- Individual meetings and discussions were held with various people interested (stakeholders) in the project objectives, the meetings having as their objective facilitating the exchange of knowledge, identifying synergies with potential partners and beneficiaries, thus exploring collaboration opportunities in line with the project objectives; four meetings were recorded in Zagreb (Croatia, 25.09.2025), 9 in Timisoara (03.10.2025).
