Vienna researchers turn plastic waste into molecular sponges for air water
Scientists at the University of Vienna have developed a method to convert discarded plastic packaging and toys into materials that capture moisture from the air.
Plastic waste becomes water sponge
Chemists Anastasiia Naryshkina, Paul Schweng and Robert Woodward transformed various types of thrown-away plastics into porous polymer networks. These new materials function as molecular sponges that attract moisture even in dry climates. The study was published in the journal Chem Circularity.
Sunlight triggers water release
The polymer chains form a structure with tiny internal spaces to hold large quantities of vapor. Moderate heating, such as sunlight exposure, causes the material to release the captured water again. This process allows for repeated capture and release cycles without losing effectiveness.
Potential for off-grid use
Atmospheric water harvesting offers a promise as a decentralized supplementary water source for communities. The approach addresses both plastic pollution and water scarcity challenges simultaneously. Researchers suggest this could work as an alternative to traditional water collection methods.
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