Solvent-free formation of a disulfide/sulfone polymer network for salt-driven atmospheric water harvesting

Abstract

The ongoing water crisis requires the development of functional materials that can tap into the atmospheric water reservoir. Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting using porous materials presents a promising solution. Many porous, crystalline networks have been investigated thus far, however, simple, hydrophilic polymers may prove a promising branch of sorbents for versatile water capture. Here, poly-PETMP is produced via thiol self-condensation in a bulk synthesis at room temperature in the absence of organic solvents. The resulting poly-PETMP is then loaded with calcium chloride to yield a sorbent with an impressive water sorption capacity of 1.34 g g⁻¹ at 90% relative humidity (RH) and 0.29 g g⁻¹ at 30% RH, while retaining a consistent performance over repeated sorption/desorption cycles.