Solar-powered MXene biopolymer aerogels for sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production Vol. 425; p. 138948
• Main Authors: Zhou, Zhiliang, Wang, Guanghui, Pei, Xiangjun, Zhou, Lihong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Aerogel; Atmospheric water harvesting; High tensile strength; MXene; Solar energy; High tensile strength; Atmospheric water harvesting; Aerogel; MXene; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138948

Solar energy-powered sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) is an innovative approach to acquiring fresh water in water-stressed areas. Here, a method was provided for combining a polyacrylamide/chitosan skeleton and an MXene solar absorber to produce a solar-powered hygroscopic polymer aerogel for atmospheric water harvesting (AWH). Solution exchange and lyophilization were combined in the preparation method. The experiments showed that the porous aerogels enabled high-performance AWH. At 90% relative humidity and 25 °C, the water sorption capacity reached 5.0 g·g−1. At a light intensity of 1 kW·m−2 for 4 h, almost all of the adsorbed water (>98%) was released due to photothermal conversion. The tensile strength exceeded 1.3 MPa. Additionally, the water collection capacity under unstable outdoor conditions was 0.92 L·kg−1 (under unstable natural light (0.11–1.01 kW ·m−2)). This method offers a straightforward, efficient, and useful solution, even under adverse environmental conditions. Schematic diagram of atmospheric water harvesting process based on PAM–CS–MXene-LiCl aerogel. [Display omitted] •MXene as an efficient photothermal converter has been used in hygroscopic aerogels.•The dual network structure is designed for tensile strength up to 1.3 MPa.•The sorption capacity is up to 5.00 g/g at 90% relative humidity.•Over 98% of the adsorbed water is quickly released under 1 kW/m2 of sunlight.•The aerogel-based water harvesting system has been validated in outdoor experiment.