Environment-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Air Conditioning System Uses Micelle-Templated Mesoporous Silicas

Strategic Insights -

Scientists in Ibaraki, Japan, have developed an innovative air conditioning system that utilizes desiccant micelle-templated mesoporous silicas (MPS) with excellent water adsorption properties. The system, which has been gaining attention for its environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, employs the water adsorption/desorption by porous materials to cool air. MPS, with their highly ordered porous structure, are considered an optimum adsorbent for adsorption/desorption-based air conditioning systems.

The researchers, led by H. Negishi and colleagues from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, created a thick coating of MPS powder on stainless steel substrates using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. They also demonstrated the preparation of the MPS coating on aluminum substrates, which offers lightweight properties and high thermal conductivity. The researchers investigated the dispersion stability of the EPD bath and the influence of the EPD conditions on the deposition amount in detail. They found that the EPD bath was stable for 3 minutes after preparation, and the deposition amount could be easily controlled by adjusting the MPS powder concentration, applied voltage, and deposition time.

However, researchers found that the obtained MPS thick coating had the same porous structure and adsorption properties with respect to nitrogen and water vapor as the parent spray-dried MPS powder.

Key Takeaways:

  • Researchers developed an air conditioning system using desiccant micelle-templated mesoporous silicas (MPS) with excellent water adsorption properties.
  • MPS, with their highly ordered porous structure, are considered an optimum adsorbent for adsorption/desorption-based air conditioning systems.
  • The researchers created a thick coating of MPS powder on stainless steel and aluminum substrates using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method.
  • The created MPS coating had the same porous structure and adsorption properties as the parent spray-dried MPS powder.
  • The dispersion stability of the EPD bath was stable for 3 minutes after preparation.
  • The deposition amount could be easily controlled by adjusting the MPS powder concentration, applied voltage, and deposition time.

Statistics:

  • The EPD bath was stable for 3 minutes after preparation.
  • The deposition amount could be easily controlled by adjusting the MPS powder concentration, applied voltage, and deposition time.
  • The parent spray-dried MPS powder and the created MPS coating had the same porous structure and adsorption properties with respect to nitrogen and water vapor.

Sources:

  • "Electrophoretic deposition of mesoporous silica powder synthesized by spray-drying method." Journal of the Ceramic Society of Japan, 2011;119(1387):168-172.
  • H. Negishi, National Institute Advanced Ind Science & Technology, AIST Cent. 5-2, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 3058565, JAPAN.