Mechanistic and Life-Cycle Framework for Green Nanomaterials in Atmospheric Water Harvesting

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Abstract
Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH) has been recognized as a promising technology to address global freshwater scarcity in a decentralized manner. Nevertheless, conventional AWH sorbents are often associated with high energy consumption, toxic synthesis procedures, and short operational lifetimes. To address such limitations, a comprehensive review paper develops a unified framework to bridge the gap between nanoscale material properties, such as synthesis routes, structural architecture, and adsorption thermodynamics, and macro-scale environmental and economic performance. This review paper rigorously examines emerging nanomaterials such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), mesoporous metal oxides, and graphene oxide derivatives. By highlighting benchmark materials such as MOF-303 and passive solar-regenerated COF-ok, the review paper emphasizes the advantages of bio-assisted “green” synthesis routes. Crucially, this review extends beyond traditional water uptake figures and incorporates comprehensive Techno-Economic Assessments (TEA) and Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA). It examines various real-world influences, such as cumulative energy demand, levelized costs of water, and ton-scale manufacturing viability, to name a few. This report bridges atomic-level mechanics with industrial economics, and by so doing, offers design criteria to guide researchers in crafting a new generation of sustainable AWH infrastructure, with a focus on hierarchical pores, surface chemistry, and photothermal design.
Funding Information
  • Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MCI/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ERDF, EU (Ref.: PID2024-155967OB-I00))

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