The present invention relates to nanoparticles and their use to form nanocomposite material, in particular bionanocomposite material, specifically wherein the nanoparticles are formed using plant virus attached to a scaffold of cellulosic material and/or cellulose derived materials, in particular wherein said cellulosic material further comprises plant cell components, for example hemicellulose, pectin, protein or combinations thereof.

The present invention relates to nanoparticles and their use to form nanocomposite material, in particular bionanocomposite material, specifically wherein the nanoparticles are formed using plant virus attached to a scaffold of cellulosic material and/or cellulose derived materials, in particular wherein said cellulosic material further comprises plant cell components, for example hemicellulose, pectin, protein or combinations thereof.

It is provided a method of cementing comprising a) providing a cement slurry by mixing: i) a cement composition comprising an cement and an amount of magnetic nanoparticles from 0.01 wt. % to 10 wt. % relative to the amount of cement (0.01% to 10% BWOC), wherein the magnetic nanoparticles have a mean particle size determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) from 10 nm to 50 nm and a crystallite size determined by the Scherrer equation which is at least an 80% the mean particle size; and ii) water; and b) applying to the cement slurry an alternating magnetic field of from 25 mT to 60 mT at a frequency from 50 kHz to 200 kHz) in order to set the cement slurry. It is also provided the mentioned cementing composition and an article of manufacture obtainable by the method of cementing.

It is provided a method of cementing comprising a) providing a cement slurry by mixing: i) a cement composition comprising an cement and an amount of magnetic nanoparticles from 0.01 wt. % to 10 wt. % relative to the amount of cement (0.01% to 10% BWOC), wherein the magnetic nanoparticles have a mean particle size determined by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) from 10 nm to 50 nm and a crystallite size determined by the Scherrer equation which is at least an 80% the mean particle size; and ii) water; and b) applying to the cement slurry an alternating magnetic field of from 25 mT to 60 mT at a frequency from 50 kHz to 200 kHz) in order to set the cement slurry. It is also provided the mentioned cementing composition and an article of manufacture obtainable by the method of cementing.

A method for producing photocatalytic mortar includes providing a mortar-producing material including a fine aggregate and cement, a reactant mixture including a zinc source and urea, and a microorganism-containing mixture including water and a urease-producing microorganism, subjecting the microorganism-containing mixture and the reactant mixture to microbial induced precipitation in the mortar-producing material, subjecting zinc carbonate crystal-containing mortar produced to curing for the same to undergo hydration, and subjecting cured mortar to hydrothermal synthesis, so that zinc carbonate crystals therein are converted to nano zinc oxide crystals.

A method for producing photocatalytic mortar includes providing a mortar-producing material including a fine aggregate and cement, a reactant mixture including a zinc source and urea, and a microorganism-containing mixture including water and a urease-producing microorganism, subjecting the microorganism-containing mixture and the reactant mixture to microbial induced precipitation in the mortar-producing material, subjecting zinc carbonate crystal-containing mortar produced to curing for the same to undergo hydration, and subjecting cured mortar to hydrothermal synthesis, so that zinc carbonate crystals therein are converted to nano zinc oxide crystals.

Antimicrobial and odor control masonry-based material compositions used to form a structure or surface include a base material and a halo active aromatic sulfonamide compound of Formula (I):

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wherein the variables R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, X, M and n are disclosed herein. The compositions and processes utilizing the same can be used to form surfaces and structures that maintain antimicrobial and odor-controlling properties over extended time periods.

Antimicrobial and odor control masonry-based material compositions used to form a structure or surface include a base material and a halo active aromatic sulfonamide compound of Formula (I):

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wherein the variables R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, X, M and n are disclosed herein. The compositions and processes utilizing the same can be used to form surfaces and structures that maintain antimicrobial and odor-controlling properties over extended time periods.

A method for preventing formation of rust-colored stains on the surface of a hydraulic composition includes mixing the hydraulic composition with an additive for hydraulic binder including at least a dialkanolamine including from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and at least a polyol preferably chosen from a diol, a triol, a tetraol and mixtures thereof. Other uses include a grinding aid for hydraulic binder precursor, and/or improving the compressive strength of a set hydraulic composition.

A method for preventing formation of rust-colored stains on the surface of a hydraulic composition includes mixing the hydraulic composition with an additive for hydraulic binder including at least a dialkanolamine including from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and at least a polyol preferably chosen from a diol, a triol, a tetraol and mixtures thereof. Other uses include a grinding aid for hydraulic binder precursor, and/or improving the compressive strength of a set hydraulic composition.