Catalytic effect of carbonic anhydrase enzyme on lime mortar carbonation

Author(s): Özlem Cizer, Koen Van Balen, Carlos Rodriguez Navarro
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the International RILEM Conference
Materials, Systems and Structures in Civil Engineering 2016 segment on
Historical Masonry
Editor(s): Inge Rörig-Dalgaard and Ioannis Ioannou
ISBN: 978-2-35158-178-0
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-179-7
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2016
Pages: 102-111
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: Carbonation reaction of lime in the presence of carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme from bovine
erythrocytes has been studied to explore its effects on the reaction kinetics, precipitation and
phase transformations of calcium carbonate and strength development of mortars. Results
clearly indicate an enhancement of calcium carbonate precipitation and a significant
modification of calcite crystal morphology in the presence of the enzyme. CA accelerated the
phase transformations from amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) into calcite via an
intermediate phase formation of anhydrous ACC and vaterite. When compared to the pure
solution in which ACC formed and subsequently transformed to rhombohedral calcite, in the
presence of CA enzyme calcite was formed with a morphology that was substantially
modified from the equilibrium rhombohedral form with the appearance of new crystal faces.
In lime mortar higher degree of CaCO3 precipitation, and faster and higher strength
development was recorded in the presence of enzyme. Inspired from nature, the kinetic effect
that CA enzyme has on lime carbonation might offer a potentially novel approach with
significant benefits on the applications of lime mortars in architectural heritage conservation.

Online publication : 2016
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00