Photocatalytic nano-composite architectural lime mortar for degradation of urban pollutants under solar and visible (interior) light

•Novel functionalised photocatalytic mortar-based nanocomposites are reported.•Commercial mortar with 1 and 5wt% Ag-doped TiO2 (1mol% Ag) nanoparticle additives.•Silver doping shifts band gap of titania NPs into visible light wavelengths.•Nano-additives have no significant effects on curing or colour or mortar.•Photocatalyst mortars: remove NOx min under sunlight, VOC removal under white light.