High Moisture Absorption Research Articles

A Review of Natural Fibres and Biopolymer Composites: Progress, Limitations, and Enhancement Strategies.

The interest in natural fibres and biopolymers for developing bio-composites has greatly increased in recent years, motivated by the need to reduce the environmental impact of traditional synthetic, fossil fuel-derived materials. However, several limitations associated with the use of natural fibres and polymers should be addressed if they are to be seriously considered mainstream fibre reinforcements. These include poor compatibility of natural fibres with polymer matrices, variability, high moisture absorption, and flammability. Various surface treatments have been studied to tackle these drawbacks, such as alkalisation, silane treatment, acetylation, plasma treatment, and polydopamine coating. This review paper considers the classification, properties, and limitations of natural fibres and biopolymers in the context of bio-composite materials. An overview of recent advancements and enhancement strategies to overcome such limitations will also be discussed, with a focus on mechanical performance, moisture absorption behaviour, and flammability of composites. The limitations of natural fibres, biopolymers, and their bio-composites should be carefully addressed to enable the widespread use of bio-composites in various applications, including electronics, automotive, and construction.

Synthesis of copper-containing metal–polymer nanocomposites and their use as a humidity sensor

Recently, the synthesis of new gas-sensitive materials for use in resistive humidity sensors has attracted considerable interest. In the study, copper-containing metal–polymer nanocomposites were obtained by thermolysis of copper fumarate (I) and its complexes with 2,2′-dipyridyl (II) and 1,10-phenanthroline (III). The nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The most common particle sizes of the thermolysis products of compounds I, II, and III were 18.7, 8.3, and 20.7 nm, respectively. The manufactured sensor samples exhibited good sensitivity to the relative humidity (RH) of air: 2.48%/%RH, 3.77%/%RH, and 3.11%/%RH for the thermolysis products of compounds I, II, and III, respectively. Because of the high porosity and moisture absorption of the film, the maximum sensitivity was approximately 0.005 MΩ/%RH, which indicates fairly effective behavior of the film with respect to humidity. The response and recovery times were 23.7, and 37.3 s; 24.7, and 35.8 s; 32.4, and 58.4 s, respectively. The experiment had 88%–97% reproducibility. The fabricated sensors have great potential as humidity-sensing elements for humidity monitoring.

Synthesis of nickel-containing metal-polymer nanocomposites and their use as a humidity sensor

In recent years, the synthesis of new gas-sensitive materials for resistive humidity sensors has attracted significant interest. In the present paper, nickel-containing metal-polymer nanocomposites were obtained by thermolysis of nickel itaconate (I) and its complexes with 2,2′-dipyridyl (II), 1,10-phenanthroline (III) and 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2''-terpyridine (IV). The formed nanocomposites were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, EDX, SEM, TEM and XRD studies. The most common particle sizes are 28, 12.8, 10.7 and 12.3 nm for the thermolysis products of compounds I–IV respectively. The manufactured sensor samples have good sensitivity to air relative humidity (RH) of 3.24 %/%RH, 4.72 %/%RH, 2.18 %/%RH and 4.37 %/%RH for thermolysis products of compounds I–IV with the polymer binder polyacrylamide, respectively. The average initial resistance of the sensors is 4.54, 15.33, 20.8 and 35.75 MΩ, respectively. Due to the high porosity and moisture absorption of the film, the maximum sensitivity was about 0.003 MΩ/%RH, which indicates a fairly effective behavior of the film with respect to humidity. The response times were 27, 25, 33, 30 s, and the recovery time 47, 44, 51, 49 s, respectively, and repeating the experiment resulted in 87–92 % reproducible results. The fabricated sensors have great potential for use as a humidity sensing element in sensors that can be used for humidity monitoring.

Study on Improvement Measures for Construction Performance and Mechanical Properties of Cement Stabilized Porous Basalt

Abstract Cement stabilized porous basalt (CSPB) is prone to early agglomeration into lumps owing to the abundant pores and high moisture absorption of porous basalt, making it difficult to unload the mixture at construction sites in high temperatures and rainy areas. To study the construction performance of a CSPB mixture, a novel test method and a convenient device were proposed to test the workability of the cement stabilized macadam mixture, and the evaluation criteria and evaluation method of the workability were proposed based on the tilt angle test. The influencing factors of the workability of CSPB were investigated, and the results show that temperature, delay time, moisture absorption of aggregate, mixture proportion, and construction technology had significant influences on construction performance. Then measures were recommended to improve the construction performance of CSPB. Considering the influence of construction performance on mechanical strength, the effects of temperature, delay time, water reducer dosage, and cement dosage on the mechanical strength of CSPB were also investigated. The results show that temperature and delay time had significant influence on the mechanical strength. The results of this research are of great significance to the field construction of CSPB.

Advancements and challenges in natural fiber‐reinforced hybrid composites: A comprehensive review

AbstractNatural fiber‐reinforced composites have emerged as a promising alternative in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and civil engineering, owing to their eco‐friendly nature and favorable mechanical properties. However, challenges such as low thermal stability and high moisture absorption limit their widespread use. To overcome these limitations, surface modifications such as mercerization, benzoylation, silane treatment, and acetylation have been extensively explored. Hybrid composites (HCs), combining natural and synthetic fibers, offer a compelling solution by harnessing the unique properties of both materials. This review comprehensively examines the types of fibers and polymers utilized in HCs, along with various chemical treatments to enhance their properties. Additionally, a detailed analysis of different manufacturing processes for HCs is provided, including hand lay‐up, vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding, autoclave molding, injection molding, and compression molding. Furthermore, this review highlights recent advancements in HCs and their applications. Significant outcomes include a deeper understanding of the synergistic effects between natural and synthetic fibers, improved mechanical and thermal properties, and enhanced applications in diverse industries. The potential of HCs as a sustainable and high‐performance material solution emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and innovation in this field to overcome existing challenges and unlock new possibilities for composite engineering.Highlights Surface modifications such as mercerization, benzoylation, and silane treatment enhance the properties of natural fibers in composite materials. Hybrid composites (HCs) offer unique advantages by combining natural and synthetic fibers, including improved thermal, mechanical, and damping properties. Various chemical treatments and manufacturing processes contribute to enhancing the properties and applications of HCs. Recent advancements in HCs have led to an improved understanding and utilization of composite engineering across multiple industries. The review discusses challenges, opportunities, and future prospects for HCs, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and innovation in this field.

Preparation and Properties of PA10T/PPO Blends Compatibilized with SEBS-g-MAH.

Plant-derived PA10T is regarded as one of the most promising semi-aromatic polyamides; however, shortcomings, including low dimensional accuracy, high moisture absorption, and relatively high dielectric constant and loss, have impeded its extensive utilization. Polymer blending is a versatile and cost-effective method to fabricate new polymeric materials with excellent comprehensive performance. In this study, various ratios of PA10T/PPO blends were fabricated via melt blending with the addition of a SEBS-g-MAH compatibilizer. Molau test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to study the influence of SEBS-g-MAH on the compatibility of PA10T and PPO. These studies indicated that SEBS-g-MAH effectively refines the domain size of the dispersed PPO phase and improves the dispersion stability of PPO particles within a hexafluoroisopropanol solvent. This result was attributed to the in situ formation of the SEBS-g-PA10T copolymer, which serves as a compatibilizer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the melting-crystallization behavior and thermal stability of blends closely resembled that of pure PA10T. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed that as the PPO content increased, there was a decrease in the glass transition temperature and storage modulus of PA10T. The water absorption rate, injection molding shrinkage, dielectric properties, and mechanical strength of blends were also systematically investigated. As the PPO content increased from 10% to 40%, the dielectric loss at 2.5 GHz decreased significantly from 0.00866 to 0.00572, while the notched Izod impact strength increased from 7.9 kJ/m2 to 13.7 kJ/m2.

COMPARISON OF ANTIBACTERIAL AND SOME PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF KNITTED FABRICS PRODUCED FROM BAMBOO, COTTON AND VISCOSE FIBER

Cotton, bamboo, and viscose fibers were examined in this study for their suitability in textile production. Bamboo, being a regenerated cellulosic fiber, has gained popularity in the industry due to its ecological properties. Fabrics made from bamboo exhibit comfort, wrinkle resistance, and thermal regulation. Additionally, they possess natural antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and biodegradable properties, along with high moisture absorption, shine, softness, and UV protection. The study compared knitted fabrics from these fibers, evaluating their water vapor permeability, air permeability, burst strength, water absorbency, abrasion resistance, and antibacterial properties according to international standards. Results showed that bamboo and cotton fibers have similar water vapor permeability, both higher than viscose fibers. Bamboo fiber's air permeability is notably higher than cotton and viscose fibers. Moreover, bamboo's water absorption surpasses cotton and viscose, leading to better sweat absorption. Bamboo fiber also demonstrated superior antibacterial properties compared to cotton and viscose, with higher bacterial eradication rates. Fabrics made from bamboo exhibited higher bursting strength and comparable pilling values to cotton, outperforming viscose. Overall, bamboo fiber demonstrated better air permeability, water absorbency, antibacterial properties, abrasion resistance, and bursting strength compared to cotton and viscose, making it a desirable choice for cool and comfortable textiles.

Non-solvent displacement nonaqueous precipitation fabrication of novel foldable HAp ceramic paper without fiber and its performance

Novel highly foldable HAp ceramic paper with fire retardancy but without fiber was fabricated via novel non-solvent displacement nonaqueous precipitation strategy. The obtained HAp ceramic paper, characterized by highly smooth and glossy, is characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), curlability test, moisture absorbency and Pb2+ removal performance test. The results show that the ceramic paper is very straight, uniform, and smooth with high curlability and low moisture absorption. No fiber is detected in the ceramic paper. No defect is either detected except for at the edge area. The HAp ceramic paper is grown along the (002) crystal plane of the hydroxyapatite phase from hexagonal plate like single crystal sheets. The ceramic paper loaded for four times has formed a clear four-layer-structured, with a total thickness of about 832 nm. The thickness of each layer is very uniform, with an average thickness of about 208 nm per layer. HAp ceramic paper has excellent Pb2+ ions removal performance, curling performance, moisture absorption performance and flame retardant performance. These performances confirm this novel HAp ceramic paper has superior properties over the traditional ceramic paper with fibers and shows great application prospect in various fields.

Water Absorption, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Fiber with Chopped Glass Fiber Filler-Reinforced Polyester Composites

This study explores the investigations of bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites with chopped glass fiber (CGF) filler, focusing on addressing the challenges of low mechanical properties, limited thermal stability, and high moisture absorption. The two types of composites were fabricated using the hand layup method, that is, long unidirectional 0° bamboo fiber (BF) and randomly oriented short bamboo fiber (BP) reinforced a polyester matrix with chopped glass fiber (CGF) filler. By incorporating CGF filler, significant improvements in mechanical properties were achieved across both types of bamboo fiber, surpassing the limitations of unfilled composites. Notably, the composite formulation consisting of 40% wt. of unidirectional 0° BF and 5% wt. of CGF filler exhibited superior ultimate tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, water absorption, and thermal stability. This composite demonstrated remarkable enhancements, with increases of up to 131.22 MPa, 128.76 MPa, 113.3 kJ/m2, 1.94% water absorption, and up to 255°C (representing a 10% improvement) in thermal stability compared to the unfilled composite. Statistical analysis revealed quadratic models for the mechanical properties of long unidirectional 0° bamboo fiber composites, while water absorption exhibited a linear two-factor interaction model. For randomly oriented short bamboo fiber, the models for tensile, flexural, and water absorption properties were linear, while the impact energy model showed a quadratic relationship. These statistical models provide valuable insights into predicting the properties of bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites. This research underscores the significance of bamboo fiber-reinforced polyester composites in wall partition systems. This study paves the way for improved performance in these areas. The findings highlight the potential of incorporating CGF filler, enabling enhanced mechanical strength, increased thermal stability, and improved resistance to moisture-related issues. The derived statistical models offer valuable guidance for predicting the properties of these composites, facilitating their application and adoption in the construction industry.

Malt Quality Characteristics of Selected Maize Varieties

In tropical and sub-tropical regions, the cultivation of barley is generally very limited and far less viable for brewing. This study was intended to investigate the potential of released maize varieties for malt purpose. Seventeen released maize varieties were collected from Bako, Ambo and Melkassa Agricultural Research Centers. The varieties were investigated for the most critical chemical compositions, germination test and malt quality. AMH-851 variety had the highest crude protein and ash contents. The highest moisture absorption (49.2%) and germination energy (82%) was noticed in MK-1 maize variety. Insignificant variation and less malting loss (0.7g) was noticed for MK-141 and BH-661 varieties. A significant increment in protein content was observed in maize malt compared to the un-malted grain. AMH-851had the highest (13.8%) and MK-2 showed the lowest (11.2%) malt protein content and the highest kolbach index. In its coarse and fine extract contents, BH-661 (69.93%) and BH-540 (69.29%) varieties had the highest and did not show a significant variation. A range of 6.8 to 29.07 wk enzymatic activity was observed among the selected maize malt with the highest for AMH-851 followed by BH-547 and the lowest for Limu variety. It was noticed that maize grains grown in intermediate agro-ecology could be used as potential malt for brewing purpose.

Environmental Durability of Bio-Based and Synthetic Thermoplastic Composites in Large-Format Additive Manufacturing.

This research investigates the durability of large-format 3D-printed thermoplastic composite material systems under environmental exposure conditions of moisture and freeze-thaw. Durability was evaluated for two bio-based composite material systems, namely wood-fiber-reinforced semi-crystalline polylactic acid (WF/PLA) and wood-fiber-reinforced amorphous polylactic acid (WF/aPLA), and one conventionally used synthetic material system, namely short-carbon-fiber-reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (CF/ABS). The moisture absorption, coefficient of moisture expansion, and reduction of relevant mechanical properties-flexural strength and flexural modulus-after accelerated exposure were experimentally characterized. The results showed that the large-format 3D-printed parts made from bio-based thermoplastic polymer composites, compared to conventional polymer composites, were more susceptible to moisture and freeze-thaw exposure, with higher moisture absorption and greater reductions in mechanical properties.

How Sustainability from Fiber Content in Wood-Polymer Composites Outweighs Lower Material Performance: An Industry Perspective

There is increasing demand in the industry to make plastic-intensive products more sustainable. Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC) represent a plastic-substitution technology. They consist of up to 80% wood fibers by volume embedded in a petrochemical plastic matrix. The fiber content makes them ecological, but then also more expensive and susceptible to color change and water absorption. This study uses a choice-based survey of 167 German industry experts to clarify whether WPC could be used across sectors to increase the sustainability of their products and applications, up to what maximum wood content they would give up the advantages of pure plastic in favor of sustainability, and on which company factors and plastic-relevant attitudinal characteristics the choice depends. 85% of respondents agreed with WPC, regardless of their branch. Only 18.6% would accept cost increases for sustainability, and the majority (48.5%) preferred to renounce color stability rather than moisture resistance (18.0%). However, if higher moisture absorption was tolerated, the experts tended towards lower maximum wood contents (p = 0.001, r = -0.30). To fully exploit WPC`s eco-potential, future developments should optimize its hydrophobic properties rather than color stability. Due to low dependencies of the results on company factors, the marketing of WPC can be carried out under high standardization levels.

Biomimetic Dual Absorption-Adsorption Networked MXene Aerogel-Pump for Integrated Water Harvesting and Power Generation System.

Harvesting atmospheric water and converting it into electricity play vital roles in advancing next-generation energy conversion systems. However, the current water harvester systems suffer from a weak water capture ability and poor recyclability due to high diffusion barriers and low sorption kinetics, which significantly limit their practical application. Herein, we drew inspiration from the natural "Pump effect" observed in wood and successfully developed a dual "absorption-adsorption" networked MXene aerogel atmospheric water harvester (MAWH) through ice templating and confining LiCl processes, thereby serving multiple purposes of clean water production, passive dehumidification, and power generation. The MAWH benefits from the dual H-bond network of MXene and cellulose nanocrystals (absorption network) and the hygroscopic properties of lithium chloride (adsorption network). Furthermore, its aligned wood-like channel structure efficiently eliminates water nucleation near the 3D network, resulting in fast moisture absorption. The developed MAWH demonstrates a high moisture absorption ability of 3.12 g g-1 at 90% relative humidity (RH), featuring rapid vapor transport rates and durable cyclic performance. When compared with commercial desiccants such as the 4A molecular sieve and silica gel, the MAWH can reduce the RH from 80% to 20% within just 6 h. Most notably, our integrated MAWH-based water harvesting-power generation system achieves a high voltage of ∼0.12 V at 77% RH, showcasing its potential for practical application. These developed MAWHs are considered as high-performance atmospheric water harvesters in the water collection and power generation field.

Physicochemical Characteristics and Dyeing Properties of Novel Cellulosic Fibers Derived from Sustainable Agricultural Waste

Development of new innovative sustainable fibres from agricultural waste are in great demand these days. For the expansion of these fibres at commercial level, understanding about physicochemical properties of these fibres and specifically their dyeing behavior is essential. In this consequence, in the present study, a natural lignin-cellulosic fibers were extracted by a simplistic route, from lotus silk. The fibers were turn in to yarn by hand twisting and then natural as well as chemical dyeing was performed by the standard dyeing method established for cotton dyeing. Natural henna dye, C.I Reactive blue and indigo dye was used in the present study. Physico chemical properties and dyeing mechanism of the prepared fibers were studied and analyzed in detail in comparison with cotton cellulosic fibres. The lotus fibers were described for their organic construction and morphology by FT-IR spectroscopy and Scanning Electronic Microscopy respectively. Tensile strength, moisture regain and elongation percentage at break were also evaluated. The outcomes revealed that lotus fibers are cellulosic in nature same as cotton but with higher moisture absorption and lower crystallinity as compared to cotton fibers. Lotus fibers revealed higher color strength and color co-ordinates when compared to cotton fibers dyeing. Hollow and irregular fiber surface of lotus fibers along with higher moisture absorption and low crystallinity are the major reasons for higher chemical reactivity and absorption of dyes. The tensile strength and elongation observed in lotus fibers are suitable to be used these fibers in textile products. Lotus fibres from the agricultural waste can be a new source of sustainable textile products for future applications.

Fluorinated polymer coated cyanoethyl-chitin nanofiber composite separators for high performance lithium ion batteries

Natural polymer nanofiber-based separators with excellent thermal stability, mechanical strength, and electrolyte wettability have shown great potentials for advanced lithium ion batteries. However, there are two crucial issues to block their practical applications, including high moisture absorption and interfacial instability toward electrodes. Here, a surface coating strategy to overcome these disadvantages and promote natural polymer nanofiber-based separator performance is demonstrated. A hydrophobic polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP), is adopted to coating on the surface of cyanoethyl-chitin nanofiber (CCN) separators. The as-fabricated CCN/PVDF-HFP composite separators not only exhibit much lower moisture absorption and higher interfacial instability but also retain high mechanical strength and ionic conductivity in comparison to CCN separators. The LiFePO4/Li cells using CCN/PVDF-HFP separators exhibit much better electrochemical cycle performance and enhanced capacity retention than that using CCN separators.

Silica nanowires-reinforced silica aerogels with outstanding thermal insulation, thermal stability and mechanical properties

Silica aerogels possess extremely low thermal conductivity, low density and high porosity, which can be regarded as candidates for new thermal insulation materials. However, silica aerogels suffer from low strength, brittleness, modeling difficulties and high moisture absorption. In this work, compatible inorganic silica nanowires are introduced as one-dimensional reinforcing materials, and silica nanowires-reinforced silica aerogels (SiO2NWs-MSAs) are synthesized using a two-step acid-base catalytic in-situ sol-gel method combined with atmospheric pressure drying, aiming to improve the comprehensive performances of the composite aerogels. The composite aerogels exhibit good mechanical properties, and the composite aerogel has a compressive strength of 1.379 MPa at a strain of 60 % when the doping amount of silica nanowires is 11 %. The volumetric shrinkage of the composite aerogels varies between 11.58 and 12.81 % and the density ranges from 0.11 to 0.13 g cm−3. SiO2NWs-MSA2 has a low thermal conductivity and good high-temperature insulation properties with thermal conductivity of 0.039 W m−1 K−1 at 25 °C and 0.046 W m−1 K−1 at 150 °C. The thermal stability of the composite aerogels is improved, and the thermal decomposition temperature reaches 500 °C. Meanwhile, the water contact angles of the composite aerogels all exceed 140°. In addition, the composite aerogels can maintain the amorphous state at 1200 °C, and the microstructure remains basically unchanged at 1000 °C, showing excellent high-temperature resistance.

Thermo‐Mechanical Analysis of Epoxy Resins Under the Influence of Moisture‐Heat Coupling by Molecular Dynamics Simulation

AbstractEpoxy resins are used in electronic packaging. However, its low thermal conductivity is a disadvantage and the high moisture absorption leads to defects such as cracking and delamination. In this work, the effect of thermo‐mechanical properties of epoxy resins under moisture‐heat coupling is investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and polyetheramine D230 are used as epoxy resin matrix and curing agents, respectively. The degree of cross–linking is set from 0% to 98% and the moisture mass fraction is set from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.%. The radius distribution function(RDF) shows that water molecules tend to appear ≈2.75 Å from the epoxy resin. The thermal conductivity of the epoxy resin increases by 54.55% for the maximum cross–linking degrees studied. And it increases by 19.23% when the moisture mass fraction is increased from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.%. The deformation of the epoxy resin is calculated which includes the coefficient of thermal expansion(CTE), coefficient of moisture expansion(CME), and coefficient of linear expansion. It is found that moisture expansion predominated at low temperatures and thermal expansion dominates at high temperatures. The analysis provides a theoretical basis for the study of hygrothermal coupling effects.

Mechanical properties of geopolymer using recycled glass power as alkali activator

In this study, the usability of recycled glass powder (RGP) as an alkali activator in the geopolymer was studied. As precursors, C-class fly ash (FA) and blast furnace slag (GGBS) were used, and the replacement ratio of RGP was set to 0, 10, 20, and 30% respectively. As the replacement ratio of RGP increased, the compressive and flexural strength tended to increase. But, when the RGP replacement ratio was more than 30%, compressive and flexural strength decreased. In addition, the ratio of FA and GGBS had a significant impact on strength. In the case of specimens composed of a high ratio of FA, it showed high porosity and moisture absorption, and accordingly, compressive and flexural strength were reduced.

A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATION OF SATELLITE-BASED AEROSOL OPTICAL DEPTH IN MARMARA REGION OF TURKIYE DURING 2000–2021

Abstract. This study investigates the spatiotemporal variability of the aerosol optical depth (AOD) in the atmosphere over the Marmara region, Turkiye. Long-term satellite observations from MODIS MAIAC AOD data spanning the period from 2000 to 2021 are utilized. Examining the temporal variations in AOD in the Marmara region, it is observed that AOD reaches its peak during spring (May) and summer (August) months, while lower AOD values are observed in winter. Specifically, between August and December, there is a significant decline in monthly mean AOD which is majorly due to particulate removal from the atmosphere via precipitation scavenging. The findings reveal that the inter-annual variability of monthly AOD variations in the Marmara region is primarily influenced by temporary Saharan dust transportation with highest deviations from 22 year averaged AOD in late winters and early springs. The findings from the analysis of seasonal spatial variation of high AOD values revealed that the high AOD area is largest in the summer with about 54% of the total area and then spring (45%) and autumn (26%). Winter has the lowest HVA with 17% of the total area. The seasonal percentage rates of HVA are due to atmospheric conditions and aerosol sources. Larger HVA in summer is due to the increase of farming practices and biomass residue burnings combined with high moisture absorption effects and high temperature. The heating-specific emissions are the main source of anthropogenic emissions over the high AOD areas during the autumn and winter and aerosols are concentrated over the urbanized centres and industrialized zones.

A techno-economic investigation of conventional and innovative desiccant solutions based on moisture sorption analysis

Liquid desiccant technology is an energy-efficient substitute for technologies that are conventionally applied for temperature and humidity control; however, innovative desiccant solutions have not been extensively explored in terms of their performance and feasibility. This work aimed to investigate desiccant solutions with moisture sorption analysis technically and economically. Various conditions of temperature and humidity were tested in a climatic chamber and the moisture absorption and desorption capacity, thermo-chemical energy storage capacity, and cost of conventional and innovative desiccant solutions were assessed by experiment. Calcium chloride showed the highest moisture desorption capacity (0.3113 gH2O/gsol in the climatic chamber at 50 °C and 25% RH) and the lowest cost, despite its low moisture absorption capacity. Ionic liquids show high moisture absorption capacity (as high as 0.429 gH2O/gsol in the climatic chamber at 25 °C and 90% RH) and could be used as additives (in which a maximum increase of 84.1% was observed for moisture absorption capacity due to the addition of ionic liquids), and thus, they are promising substitutes for conventional desiccant solutions. As solutions for better performance under various conditions were identified, the study will advance liquid desiccant technology.