Water vapor harvesting nanostructures through bioinspired gradient-driven mechanism

Haoran Liang, Magomet T. Abshaev, Ali M. Abshaev, Buzgigit M. Huchunaev, Steven Griffiths, Linda Zou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

A dual-layered shells/core microcrystal (graphene-oxide (GO)-titanium-dioxide (TiO2)/sodium-chloride (NaCl), GTNC)is synthesized by evaporation crystallization. After thermal reduction, an alternating hydrophilic (TiO2 nanoparticles)/hydrophobic (rGO plates)nanostructure is formed, sharing similarities to the water-vapor-harvesting system of desert beetles. rGTNC microcrystals could deliquesce at lower relative humidity (59 ± 3%, RH)than that of NaCl (∼75% RH), and form larger water droplets ∼4–8 times its original areal size. The enhanced performance is attributed to surface energy gradients and water adsorbing capability. The results confirm that rGTNC microcrystals can be used as efficient cloud seeding materials.

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)167-173
Number of pages7
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume728
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2019

Keywords

  • Bioinspired water-vapor harvesting
  • Dual-layered shells/core microcrystals
  • Water-augmentation technology
  • Water-droplet formation

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