17th International Fiber and Polymer Research Symposium

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Functional Nanotexture for Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH) in Low Humidity Regions

Authors :

Amin Esmaeili¹ Seyedmansour Bidoki² Ali Demir³ Ahmet Kurklu⁴ Bahman Boostani⁵

1- College of Engineering Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha, Qatar 2- Yazd University 3- Department of Textile Technologies and Design Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey 4- Department of Agricultural Mechanization and Technologies Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey 5- College of Engineering Technology, University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha, Qatar

Keywords :

Atmospheric Water Harvesting (AWH)،Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)،Nanofibers،Humidity Control،Greenhouse،Composite،Textile Integration،Moisture Absorption

Abstract :

Water scarcity poses a significant threat to global populations, with projections indicating that by 2050, half of the world's inhabitants will experience shortages. Qatar, already under water stress, faces the challenge of ensuring food security amidst harsh climatic conditions and limited water resources. Greenhouse farming emerges as a crucial solution, yet maintaining optimal conditions for plant growth, including adequate water supply and controlled humidity, remains a challenge. Traditional cooling methods such as Pad&Fan systems elevate greenhouse humidity, adversely impacting crop quality. Addressing this issue demands an energy-efficient approach to humidity control and water generation. Conventional methods like active refrigeration and desiccants prove energy-intensive and costly. However, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) offer a promising alternative. These porous materials exhibit exceptional water absorption capabilities, even at low humidity levels. Integrating MOFs into flexible textile substrates enhances their performance, facilitating molecular transport and maximizing active site accessibility. The synthesis of MOF-fiber structures presents a critical step, requiring careful selection of MOF crystals for chemical stability, tunable pore size, and robustness. Our approach leverages MOF-containing textiles to harness excess greenhouse humidity for water generation. By cyclically absorbing and desorbing water molecules, these structures can produce fresh water for irrigation or cooling systems.