Research Progress in Adsorption/absorption-based Atmospheric Water Harvesting

The technology of adsorption/absorption atmospheric water harvesting is characterized by ease of operation, low energy consumption, and represents an effective measure to mitigate the scarcity of fresh water resources. A systematic review of recent research progress in this field is presented and an introduction is provided to the basic principles and main material categories of adsorption/absorption air water extraction technology, as well as a summary of the material placement structure, equipment operation mode, and application field of adsorption/absorption equipment. Adsorption/absorption materials include traditional porous structural materials, hygroscopic salts, and new organic air water intake materials. Currently, significant advancements have been made in enhancing the adsorption performance of materials, broadening their application scope, and reducing the energy consumption required for water absorption and release. Nevertheless, there are still challenges related to poor mechanical properties and incapability to be shaped into profiles for adsorption/absorption materials that necessitate further comprehensive investigation. The adsorption/absorption equipment can be utilized for air-water intake applications through various structural configurations, including flat placement, central axis placement, fold placement, etc. This equipment is capable of operating in either a daily cycle or multiple cycle mode. Apart from directly collecting liquid water, the adsorption/absorption atmospheric water harvesting equipment can also serve as an innovative solution for cultivating ecological farms, thereby offering potential strategies to mitigate regional freshwater resource scarcity and food shortages.