Nano-lime - a new material for the consolidation and conservation of historic mortars

Abstract eng:
The consolidation and conservation of historic mortars requires materials which are compatible with the components originally used. The application of nano-lime offers such a possibility. Lime nano-particles are stable when dispersed in different alcohols. The particles have sizes ranging between 50 and 250nm. Typical concentrations in such dispersions are between 5 and 50g/L. Ethanol, n-propanol and iso-propanol are used as solvents. Treatment of mortar with nano-lime results, after evaporation of the alcohol, in the formation of solid calcium hydroxide. This converts into CaCO3 in a way similar to traditional lime mortars by reaction with atmospheric carbon dioxide. The solvent evaporates without leaving any unwanted residues. Another possibility to consolidate mortar is the combined treatment with esters of silicic acid. The calcium carbonate nanoparticles formed after the nano-lime treatment catalyse the gel formation resulting in improved mechanical properties. This paper gives an overview of the typical properties of calcium hydroxide nano-sols and summarises a number of laboratory tests on them.

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