Sodium Alginate/Lithium Chloride/Acrylamide Composite Gel With Enhanced Mechanical Properties for Dehumidification in Evaporative Cooling Systems

This study explores the development of PAM‐ALG‐LiCl hydrogel composites as a high‐performance desiccant system for evaporative cooling applications. A novel synthesis strategy was employed, incorporating sodium alginate (ALG) and lithium chloride (LiCl) into a polyacrylamide (PAM) precursor solution. Mechanical characterization and water vapor adsorption analysis were conducted alongside LDF model simulations. The composite exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, with a storage modulus of approximately 25,000 Pa, as well as exceptional elasticity and toughness. The optimized hygroscopic performance revealed a high dynamic water absorption coefficient ( k = 2.67 × 10 −4 ± 5.11 × 10 −6 ) under 90% RH and an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 3.95 ± 0.01 g/g. Dehumidification efficiency was validated through model simulations. The synthesis and systematic evaluation of this specific ternary PAM‐ALG‐LiCl composite aimed to combine the desirable properties of sodium alginate, lithium chloride, and polyacrylamide to improve mechanical robustness and dehumidification performance for air conditioning system applications.