Surface modification of ceramic sculptures: improving mechanical strength and aesthetic performance through nanocomposite coatings

Ceramic sculptures are increasingly being preserved and enhanced with new technology on coatings that are aimed at enhancing both mechanical strength and performance. This research presents a Nano-composite surface-modification procedure, which utilizes nano-Ceria (CeO 2 ) and Silica (SiO 2 ) particles to create permanent, aesthetically pleasing protective layers on ceramic sculptures. A synthesis and deposition of a combined CeO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposite coating was performed by a controlled slurry dip-coating procedure on ceramic substrates, which are sculptural materials. The nano-CeO 2 and nano-SiO 2 nanocomposite was adjusted to 65 wt% of nano-CeO 2 and 30 wt% of nano-SiO 2 at the optimum dispersion and homogeneity of the coating. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were employed to research the surface morphology and crystalline phases through the homogeneity of the coating, bonding characteristics, and surface smoothness of the coating. Mechanical and functional testing, including adhesion, wear stability, Ultraviolet (UV) stability, and gloss tests, proved that the CeO 2 -SiO 2 coated sculptures significantly enhanced their mechanical stability and optical appearance. Optimum fabrication conditions, binder to solvent weight ratio, heating rate, and sintering temperature of 400 ° C gave a highly stable continuous coating with very uniform conditions. The results indicate that the CeO 2 -SiO 2 nanocomposite coating has been proven to be effective in strengthening ceramic sculptures without losing their visual brilliance and gloss retention of surfaces 95%, which represents a viable and sustainable solution to the current art creation involving ceramics as well as conserving heritage.