Synthesis and application of spherical Alginate/CaCl2 hydrogel beads for water harvesting from air

Tran Thi Khanh Linh Nguyen Thi; Huong Nguyen Thi; Vu Minh Thanh Nguyen Thi

doi:10.62239/jca.2025.041

Authors

Tran Thi Khanh Linh Vietnam Military Medical Academy, 160 Phung Hung, Ha Dong, Hanoi, Vietnam | Institute of Materials, Biology and Environment, 17 Hoang Sam, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Huong Institute of Materials, Biology and Environment, 17 Hoang Sam, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam
Vu Minh Thanh Institute of Materials, Biology and Environment, 17 Hoang Sam, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62239/jca.2025.041

Keywords:

Alginate, hydrogel, Atmospheric water harvesting, AWH

Abstract

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of spherical hydrogel materials based on alginate cross-linked with Ca²⁺ cations, with particle diameters ranging from 0.20 to 0.25 cm. The structural properties of the synthesized materials were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray mapping (EDX-mapping), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. The water vapor adsorption capacity of the Alginate/CaCl₂ hydrogel spheres reached 220 – 270 wt% relative to the dry weight, depending on ambient humidity conditions, with equilibrium sorption capacity reaching 80% of the saturation value within 4 hours. Furthermore, the material demonstrated excellent regeneration capability at 140°C, maintaining 80-90% of its original sorption capacity after 3 cycles regeneration cycles. These results indicate the potential of alginate-based hydrogel spheres as efficient and recyclable sorbents for sustainable atmospheric water harvesting applications.

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