Development of solid super desiccants based on a polymeric superabsorbent hydrogel composite

Abstract

A solid super desiccant was developed based on the concept of impregnating a super liquid hygroscopic agent in a superabsorbent polymer to take advantage of the vast vapour absorption capacity of the hygroscopic agent and the liquid withholding capacity of the superabsorbent polymer. The maximum hygroscopic salt loading was determined based on different salt concentrations in sodium polyacrylate. The newly developed desiccant showed a vapor absorption capacity of 276 ± 20%, which is superior in comparison to that of conventional solid desiccants such as silica gel, activated alumina and molecular sieves. Thus they have great potential in applications requiring solid desiccants such as desiccant cooling, air conditioning, storage of moisture sensitive materials, and dehydration of natural gas.