Scalable Polyelectrolyte Complex-Based Sorbent With Hourly Sorption−Desorption Cycles for Multicyclic Atmospheric Water Harvesting in Arid Environments

초록

Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) has emerged as a promising strategy to address global water scarcity, particularly in arid regions (RH ≤ 30%). However, the development of scalable sorbents with rapid water uptake and energy-efficient release remains a critical challenge for practical implementation. Here, we present a scalable and environmentally benign fabrication of a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC)-based sorbent via an aqueous phase inversion process. The porous PEC matrix, physically crosslinked through electrostatic interactions, exhibits strong water affinity through abundant charged sites. To further enhance water adsorption, hygroscopic LiCl is incorporated. This architecture achieves a water uptake of 0.18 g g−1 within 15 min at 25°C and 25% RH, enabling rapid moisture capture under dry conditions. The facile integration of graphene oxide imparts photothermal functionality, allowing fast water desorption under solar irradiation within 45 min. This 1-h adsorption–desorption cycle facilitates efficient multicyclic AWH, as demonstrated by a large-scale outdoor prototype that harvested 183 mL of water over 9 cycles (equivalent to 1.37 L kg−1 day−1) under natural sunlight. This work establishes a solution-processable and scalable sorbent platform that combines fast sorption kinetics, solar-driven regeneration, and practical manufacturability, offering a viable pathway toward decentralized freshwater generation in water-stressed environments. © 2026 The Author(s). Advanced Functional Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

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