Thiazole-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks For Low-Humidity Water Adsorption

Patent Status

Patent Pending

Brief Description

The critical challenge of providing clean, potable water in arid and semi-arid regions can be addressed by technologies that efficiently harvest atmospheric water, particularly under low-humidity conditions. UC Berkeley researchers have developed novel thiazole-based Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) that serve as highly efficient sorbents for this purpose. These COFs are crystalline, porous materials characterized by high porosity, permanent pore structures, and a chemically tunable nature. The disclosed COFs demonstrate a significant advantage over alternatives by exhibiting a low-humidity water uptake onset, coupled with fast adsorption kinetics, a high water working capacity, and excellent cycling stability. Furthermore, the development includes scalable synthetic methods, such as microwave-assisted and reflux routes, which enable gram-level, practical production.

Suggested uses

• Potable water generation

• Atmospheric water harvesting

• Adsorption-driven heat exchangers

• Heat pumps

• Autonomous indoor humidity regulation

• Sustainable water supply systems

• Adsorption and separation

Advantages

• Low humidity water uptake onset (efficient in drier air)

• Fast adsorption kinetics

• High water working capacity

• Excellent cycling stability (durable for repeated use)

• Scalable synthetic methods (microwave-assisted and reflux routes) enabling gram-level production

• High porosity and permanent pore structures

• Tunable chemistry

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