raw · papers · ingested 2026-06-19
Pore-size engineered nanoporous silica for efficient adsorption cooling and desalination cycle
Source: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-021-00129-y (local Zotero full-text PDF)
Mohammed et al., npj Clean Water 2021, 4, 38. Read from local Zotero full-text PDF.
Key findings
- New nanoporous silica (combined ionic DTAB + non-ionic P123 surfactant templating) vs conventional silica RD.
- BET 929 vs 621 m2/g; pore volume 0.773 vs 0.33 cm3/g; bimodal pores 1.27 nm + 2.75 nm.
- Max water uptake 0.53 vs 0.37 kg/kg.
- KEY LESSON: pore-size must match the operating relative-pressure window. For low-temp AC cooling (chilled 10 C), conventional silica RD wins: SCP ~245-247 vs ~150 W/kg.
- Crossover ~17 C chilled water; above it new silica wins (at 25 C: SCP 0.82 vs 0.51 kW/kg, ~60% higher).
- Desalination: new silica SDWP ~24.5 kg/kg/day (GOR 0.77) vs 15.11 for RD (~62% higher).
- New silica works on heat as low as 65 C.