Evaluation of the effect of Hydrophobic Leca and Hydrophobic Perlite coating on the water evaporation reduction

The purpose of the current research is to investigate the effect of hydrophobic Leca and hydrophobic Perlite coatings on reducing water evaporation. To achieve this goal, Pearlite and Leca were hydrophobicised with stearic acid. The properties of the prepared samples were analysed using BET (Brunauer Emmett Teller), FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The contact angle of hydrophobic Perlite and Leca was around 115° and 131°, respectively. According to TGA results, the specific surface area of parent Leca and Perlite has decreased after hydrophobisation. FT-IR and TGA showed the presence of stearic acid on Pearlite and Leca, as well as the interaction between them. The synthesised hydrophobic coatings were stable for more than 100 days and remained floating on the water surface. The evaporation efficiency of hydrophobic coatings was investigated at different temperatures and in the presence of sunlight and wind. Hexadecanol, hydrophobic Leca, and Perlite prevent water evaporation by 31%, 25%, and 24%.