Citation: Yan Li, Minmin Li, Fan Dong, Wen Cui. Multiscale "pore-film" cross-linked photothermal hygroscopic sponge for solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(2): 111203. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111203 shu

Multiscale "pore-film" cross-linked photothermal hygroscopic sponge for solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting

Yan Li ^a ,
Minmin Li ^a ,
Fan Dong ^b ,
Wen Cui ^{a, c, *,}

a.
College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
b.
Research Center for Carbon-Neutral Environmental & Energy Technology, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
c.
Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China

wcui@gzu.edu.cn

Received Date: 10 March 2025
Revised Date: 8 April 2025
Accepted Date: 11 April 2025
Available Online: 12 April 2025

Figures(4)

Freshwater scarcity is exacerbated by uneven distribution of limited freshwater resources and high energy costs of desalination technologies. Atmospheric water vapor, a vast and geographically unrestricted reservoir, could become a sustainable alternative. Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) has emerged as an available solution, yet conventional desorption methods relying on energy-intensive electrical heating hinder its scalability. Herein, a photothermal hygroscopic sponge has been developed for solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting. The composites combine a malleable melamine sponge skeleton, lithium chloride as a hygroscopic agent, and hydrangea-like molybdenum disulfide as a photothermal component, forming a multiscale "pore-film" cross-linked structure by an eco-friendly immersion-freeze-drying method. The optimized sample achieves exceptional hygroscopic capacity (3.92 g/g at 90% RH) and freshwater production efficiency (87.77%), which is attributed to synergistic effects of porous skeleton based crosslinked structures and "pore-film" structures, and outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency of MoS₂. The unique structure could stabilize LiCl to prevent leakage, increase mass transfer effectiveness of whole SWAH process, and enable flexibility for diverse applications. We carried out outdoor experiments to demonstrate a solar-driven water production rate of 4.22 L m^-2 d^-1 without external energy input. This work provides insights into sustainable freshwater generation and promotes green energy utilization in addressing global water scarcity.
- Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting,
- Pore-film structure,
- Hygroscopic sponge,
- Photothermal conversion,
- Mass and heat transfer
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