ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis of a novel porous diatomite/AlOOH composite material and its humidity control performance

Zhibo Hu, Shuilin Zheng, Yu Li, Junhui Xiao, Xinqing Wen, Meiling Guo, Zihao Zhang, and Jiancheng Shu

School of Environment and Resource, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China

E-mail: zhibohu@swust.edu.cn

Received: 27 September 2021  Accepted: 12 February 2022

Abstract:

Using diatomite (DE) as the micro-reactor and carrier, the diatomite/AlOOH porous humidity control material (DE/A) was prepared via joint hydrolytic precipitation and hydrothermal treatment. The samples obtained were thoroughly characterized by XRD, ICP-MS, FTIR, nitrogen adsorption, MIP, fractal theory, SEM, EDS, TEM and contact angle for reaction mechanism, surface properties, pore structure, fractal character, and morphology analysis. The humidity control performance and reusability of samples were tested. The thermodynamics analysis was also investigated according to Clausius–Clapeyron equation. The results indicated that DE/A showed a better humidity control performance than DE under different relative humidity and temperature. DE/A also showed good reusability. Humidity control performance of DE was significantly improved with the increasing of mesoporous and hydroxyl content. The structure heterogeneity and surface energy of DE were enhanced. A more reasonable pore size distribution had formed in the DE. Van der Waals force and hydrogen bonds are the main forces for humidity control.

Keywords: Diatomite; AlOOH; Humidity control; Mesoporous; Hydroxyl

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02131-1

Chemical Papers 76 (6) 3909–3918 (2022)