Fabrication, characterization, and evaluation of desiccant doped hydrogel films for potential air-dehumidification applications

Mrinal Bhowmik, Koodalingam Dharmalingam, Sayan Halder, Palanisamy Muthukumar, Ramalingam Anandalakshmi*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Temperature-independent humidity control through desiccant material provides a substantial impact on minimizing energy shortages and reduces environmental problems without compromising human thermal comfort. In the present study, desiccant (lithium bromide: calcium chloride) doped sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) films using citric acid as a crosslinker were developed to explore the air dehumidification and regeneration capability of films. Films were prepared at various desiccant concentrations (5%, 10%, and 20%), and were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermo-gravimetric (TG), moisture absorption, and water vapor permeability (WVP) analysis. XRD analysis revealed that there were no characteristic peaks of desiccants in the film samples, which indicated that the mixing of desiccants was homogeneous in the films. Moisture absorption and TG analysis revealed that films contained 10% desiccants showed an effective instantaneous moisture-holding capacity and faster regeneration rate, respectively, compared to 5% and 20% desiccant doped hydrogel films. It was found from WVP test that increasing amount of desiccants decreased the WVP due to reduction in intermolecular space in the prepared films. Further, a comprehensive comparison was made to visualize the effectiveness of developed desiccant films. All these data recommend that the prepared desiccant doped films can be used for potential air dehumidification applications.

Original languageEnglish
Article number51607
JournalJournal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume139
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Feb 10
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • air dehumidification
  • hydrogel films
  • liquid desiccant (LiBr+CaCl)
  • moisture absorption rate
  • sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Chemistry(all)
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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