Carbon quantum dot doped NH₂-MIL-53 for sustainable atmospheric water harvesting
Published in Materials
Sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH) using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) presents a promising solution to freshwater scarcity in arid regions. However, despite the intrinsic presence of abundant binding sites and polar functional groups, the practical application of MOFs remains limited due to their low adsorption/desorption efficiency and challenges associated with industrial-scale deployment in bulk form.
In this study, we developed a nanocomposite sorbent by doping carbon quantum dots (CQDs) onto the surface of NH₂-MIL-53(Al) via a hydrothermal method, ensuring the preservation of its original crystalline structure while enhancing its functionality. The hierarchical pore structure introduced by CQDs doping not only provides ample adsorption sites but also facilitates rapid moisture uptake and high solar-thermal conversion efficiency.
As a result, the material exhibits a significantly improved adsorption/desorption cycle, achieving complete water uptake and release within 300 min (150 min for adsorption and 150 min for desorption under simulated solar irradiation). Moreover, the nanocomposite demonstrates a water uptake capacity of 0.01317 g·g⁻¹ at 20% relative humidity (RH) and 0.092 g·g⁻¹ at 80% RH, surpassing the performance of most state-of-the-art MOF-based SAWH materials.
This work presents a simple yet effective strategy for enhancing the adsorption/desorption kinetics of NH₂-MIL-53(Al), offering valuable insights for the design of high-performance solar-driven water harvesting materials
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at University of Raparin, Kurdistan, Iraq. I earned my BSc in Chemistry from the University of Sulaimani in 2006, followed by an MSc in Chemistry from Jamia Hamdard University in New Delhi, India, in 2013. I completed my PhD in Organic Synthesis, with a focus on biological activity and computational chemistry, at the University of Salahaddin-Erbil in Kurdistan, Iraq. My research expertise lies in the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, polymers, Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), particularly in the micro- and nano-scales. I lead an active research group at the University of Raparin, where I supervise Master's and PhD students working on innovative projects in materials chemistry, sustainable energy, and medicinal applications. I have published several papers in reputable journals indexed by prominent publishers such as Springer Nature, Elsevier, and Wiley, with a focus on green energy and the medicinal applications of novel materials. My research aims to bridge fundamental chemistry with practical, real-world solutions, particularly in the development of environmentally friendly technologies and therapeutic agents.
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