Development of Alginate Beads Infused With Divalent and Trivalent Desiccant Salts for Dehumidification and Air Purification Applications

Abstract

This research investigates an alternative approach to conventional methods of dehumidification to reduce the consumption of electricity and its negative impact on the environment. Alternative methods such as chemical dehumidification using desiccant materials were found to be highly effective. Due to the limitations of the currently used solid and liquid desiccants, biopolymer beads could be used as an effective solution. In this study, spherical beads were developed using sodium alginate, a non-toxic biopolymer, and desiccant salts were incorporated by ion-induced gelation. Three different salt combinations in various concentrations were tested and optimized, and six were selected among them for further characterization and assay. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies confirmed the bond formation of these cations with COO⁻ groups of alginate. High moisture absorption rates of zinc–magnesium 15% (ZM15) and zinc–aluminum 15% (ZA15) samples at 78.5% and 67.8%, respectively, were observed. The maximum regeneration temperature of the ZM15 sample was determined as 66.8°C from thermogravimetric analysis, which is in the range of currently used liquid desiccant materials. Antibacterial activity tests showed promising results for all the experimented samples with prominent inhibition zones. These findings indicate that the developed beads are suitable for utilization in air dehumidification and purification systems.