Biocidal properties of gypsum stone modified with Reynoutria sachalinensis raw materials

The current stage of the construction industry development implies increased requirements for building materials to maintain and improve global environmental processes. The understanding by ecologists globally of the danger of anthropogenic impact on the global environment has been reflected in the formulation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, scientists and engineers are turning to safe plant-based raw materials as innovative building materials. Of particular interest for practice is the use of Reynoutria sachalinensis, which may exhibit biocidal properties. The purpose of this study was to obtain a gypsum stone modified with an extract from the green mass of R. sachalinensis, as resistant coating to fouling by microscopic fungi. The results indicated 10% decrease in the required water addition to gypsum paste when using plant extract, a slowdown of the initial and final setting time of the modified gypsum paste samples compared to the control samples by 6 and 7 min, respectively, and a slight decrease in bending and compressive strengths of the samples of 12.5% and 6%. The 100% resistance of the modified samples to fouling by microscopic mould fungi was also revealed.