Direct ink writing of zeolite-like AQSOA Z02 for envisioned applications in solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting: Paste formulation and effect of thermal treatments on the water sorption properties

This work presents the development of porous water adsorbent bodies with complex geometries shaped by direct ink writing additive manufacturing. AQSOA FAM Z02 (Z02), a commercial material similar to SAPO-34 with chabazite structure, was selected as sorbent material. Dynamic vapor sorption analysis demonstrated that Z02 adsorbs and desorbs up to 30 % of its own mass in each cycle, highlighting its potential for this application. To optimize its printability for direct ink writing, aqueous pastes composed of Z02 and bentonite were formulated. Bentonite served as the inorganic binder and was responsible for the mechanical stability of the printed porous bodies after heat treatment. The most suitable paste composition was identified and used to fabricate scaffold structures. These structures were then subjected to different heat treatments at 650 °C, 750 °C and 850 °C to find a suitable compromise between mechanical stability and retention of the sorption properties. Scaffold structures printed with a 20 wt% of bentonite binder were mechanically stable (1.9 ± 1.1 MPa compressive strength) and retained a maximum water uptake of ca. 25 wt% after heat treatment at 750 °C for 1 hour.