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Hygroscopic salt-embedded composite materials for sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting

Nature Reviews Materials volume 9, pages 699–721 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting has the potential to address water scarcity by extracting fresh water from the air. The performance of this technology largely depends on the sorbent used. Hygroscopic salt-embedded composite materials (HSCMs) are promising sorbents for sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting because they combine the high sorption capacities of hygroscopic salts across all relative humidity levels with the salt-retaining structure and kinetics-enhancing properties of a porous or networked matrix. However, the interactions between the matrix and salts in HSCMs are not yet fully understood, which hinders the rational design of their sorption performance. This Review introduces a framework for understanding key sorption characteristics — capacity, enthalpy, kinetics and stability — of HSCMs, through an in-depth thermodynamic analysis of the interactions among hygroscopic salts, water and salt solutions. Using this framework, we analyse reported HSCMs and guide the design of future composites by considering factors such as salt content, pore structure and the carrying capacity of the matrix. We also examine the energy flow within the sorption and desorption cycles to explore potential designs for the matrix that could enhance both aspects. Looking forward, we emphasize the importance of designing sorbent materials and multifunctional device systems in tandem, integrating material design needs, local water demand and energy efficiency to fully leverage the untapped capabilities of atmospheric humidity.

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Fig. 1: Principles and sorbent materials for atmospheric water harvesting and sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting.
Fig. 2: Sorption mechanisms and theoretical sorption capacity of hygroscopic salt-embedded composite materials.
Fig. 3: Evaluation of sorption capacity in relation to salt content.
Fig. 4: Thermodynamic cycle and desorption enthalpy of hygroscopic salt-embedded composite materials.
Fig. 5: Vapour diffusion and sorption reaction model.
Fig. 6: Evaluation of dynamic sorption performance and the parameters influencing sorption kinetics.
Fig. 7: Evaluation of sorption stability and design methods for leakage-free hygroscopic salt-embedded composite materials.
Fig. 8: Methods for inputting heating and cooling energy to enhance sorption and desorption.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the funding support from the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51521004), National Natural Science Foundation of China (52006143), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central University (23X010201008) and the Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund Tier 1 (A-8002144-00-00).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    He Shan & Swee Ching Tan

  2. Engineering Research Center of Solar Power and Refrigeration, Ministry of Education (MOE) China, Shanghai, China

    He Shan, Primož Poredoš, Zhihui Chen, Xinge Yang, Zhanyu Ye, Zhifeng Hu & Ruzhu Wang

  3. Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

    He Shan, Primož Poredoš, Zhihui Chen, Xinge Yang, Zhanyu Ye, Zhifeng Hu & Ruzhu Wang

  4. Laboratory for Sustainable Technologies in Buildings, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Primož Poredoš

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Contributions

H.S., R.W. and S.C.T. conceptualized the manuscript. H.S., P.P. and Z.C. contributed substantially to discussion of the content. H.S. and P.P. wrote the article. H.S., Z.C., X.Y. and Z.Y. researched data and performed analysis for the article. H.S. and Z.Y. conceived and illustrated the figures. All authors reviewed and edited the manuscript before submission.

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Correspondence to Ruzhu Wang or Swee Ching Tan.

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Shan, H., Poredoš, P., Chen, Z. et al. Hygroscopic salt-embedded composite materials for sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting. Nat Rev Mater 9, 699–721 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-024-00721-x

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