Advanced Liquid-Entrapped Nanosurfaces for Optimized Atmospheric Water Harvesting
Ghulam Mohd1,2, Saswati Priyadarshini1,2, Abhigith Nair1,2
1Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology (NIT), J&K, Srinagar, India, 190006.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 20, 2024
Summary
Engineered liquid-entrapped nanosurfaces significantly boost atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) efficiency. This advanced surface engineering approach offers a sustainable solution to global freshwater scarcity by improving fog collection rates.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Global freshwater scarcity is a critical issue.
- Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) offers a potential solution.
- Existing AWH methods face challenges like water-pinning effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer advanced liquid-entrapped nanosurfaces for highly efficient atmospheric water harvesting (AWH).
- To improve water collection efficiency beyond current limitations.
Main Methods:
- Synergistic integration of carbon fiber paper (CFP), nanoneedles (NNs), and silicone oil liquid entrapment (LE).
- Surface characterization using FESEM, XPS, EDS, and FTIR spectroscopy.
- Optimization of fog collection through sample tilting and controlled humidifier positioning.
Main Results:
- Nanoneedles (NNs) improved droplet spreading, increasing harvesting efficiency by 50% compared to CFP alone.
- Liquid-entrapped nanoneedles (LE-NNs) and LE-ONNs achieved a water collection rate of 21.643 ± 0.538 L/m²/h, a 4-fold increase over CFP.
- The engineered surfaces demonstrated superior fog harvesting capabilities.
Conclusions:
- Liquid entrapment within nanoneedles on CFP is a straightforward and effective surface engineering strategy for AWH.
- This approach significantly enhances water collection efficiency, offering a sustainable solution for global water crises.
- The developed nanosurfaces show great promise for advancing water collection technologies.
