In-situ electric swing adsorption enabling superior water vapor capture of salt-based carbon fibers

Abstract

All-weather sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting by in-suit electric swing adsorption (ESA) is a promising strategy to address global water scarcity due to its not being limited by sunlight availability and ease of pairing with renewable electricity energy. Herein, we describe the salt-based carbon fiber composite (ACFC) via an equal volume impregnation that enhances the prevention property of salt leakage. The ACFC exhibits Joule heating upon application of a potential, completing rapid water vapor release within 2–6 min. The innovative combination of fast water capture and the electrothermal effect of the ACFC can provide controlled water vapor capture and release cyclically by manipulating electric swing adsorption conditions. The ACFC shows rapid water desorption with in-situ ESA, releasing the adsorbed water three times faster than externally driven thermal desorption. The in-situ ESA approach provides an energy-saving strategy for water vapor capture under various weather conditions, which makes it a viable solution to alleviate the scarcity of clean water.