Feasibility of Dew harvesting from air humidity by polyethylene / TiO2 polymer nanocomposite

The problem of water shortage due to very low rainfall and its improper distribution has caused economic and agricultural problems. In this regard, the usual sources of water supply, such as water wells, have suffered irreparable economic and social consequences due to over-harvesting. One of the solutions available in recent decades is the use of available resources in water harvesting such as the water harvesting in the air. In this research, we have investigated the issue of water supply from air humidity by polymer layers with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. For this purpose, the effect of different concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the rate of water harvesting by the desired layers at 90% humidity and at the temperature 15 and 5 ° C was investigated. Also, the amount of water collected was measured in terms of hours for 5 hours and according to the characteristics of the layers were analyzed. The results showed that the prepared layers have the ability to absorb air moisture and convert it into available water droplets due to the presence of TiO2nanoparticles in the layers. Although the efficiency of the layers is higher at low temperatures due to the faster condensation of water vapor, the results show that temperature changes have a significant effect on dew harvesting of water by layers with different percentages of TiO2nanoparticles, as the layers containing higher and lower concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles have the highest power dew harvesting of water at temperatures of 5 and 15 ° C, respectively.