Effect of pore structure on the performance of photocatalytic lightweight lime-based finishing mortar

Due to the higher porosity, lime-based finishing mortars possess a higher capillary water absorption and higher drying shrinkage, which can be explained by the Kelvin-Laplace mechanism. The lime-based mortar shows very good thermal properties, with a thermal conductivity of 0.15 W/(m·K). The lime-based mortar shows a better ability of removing air pollutants, up to 46% under indoor air conditions laboratory test, compared to the cement-based mortar, which is attributed to the lower content of gel pores present in the lime-based mortar. Expanded glass shows positive influences concerning thermal properties and air pollutant removal ability compared to expanded silicate.