Closing the evapotranspiration loop: A bio-derived hygroscopic composite for self-sufficient irrigation in arid agriculture

Wang, Menglu; Liu, Buchun; Liu, Enke; Zafar, Saud-uz; Wellens, Joost; Fauconnier, Marie-Laure; De Clerck, Caroline; Mei, Xurong

doi:10.1016/j.cej.2026.174452

Article (Scientific journals)

Closing the evapotranspiration loop: A bio-derived hygroscopic composite for self-sufficient irrigation in arid agriculture

Wang, Menglu; Liu, Buchun; Liu, Enke et al.

2026 • In Chemical Engineering Journal, p. 174452

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/342684

DOI
10.1016/j.cej.2026.174452

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Keywords :

Evapotranspiration water; Water-energy-food; Material; System; Cycling

Abstract :

[en] More than 70% of agricultural water is lost through evapotranspiration (ET), a critical yet underexploited resource. We present a sustainable evapotranspiration-assisted irrigation (EAI) system that couples multi-source ET/atmospheric water harvesting with precision drip irrigation in a closed loop. A green, scalable hygroscopic composite (SMLC) built on a sphagnum-moss scaffold integrates salt, zwitterionic polymer, and a thin photothermal layer, enabling high uptake (6.42 g g−1 at 30–60% RH) and solar-driven release. Desorption liberated 50%, 74%, and 89% of stored water within 120 min at 0.5 kW m−2, 1.0 kW m−2, and 1.5 kW m−2, respectively; the composite sustained 15 sorption-desorption cycles with <5% capacity fade. Multi-scale validation, from dynamic vapor sorption of microscale samples to bulk device tests, confirmed reliable performance. In a one-week greenhouse trial, the EAI device kept stable soil moisture and supported dryland barley and wheat growth without external water input. Solar-driven on/off cycles synchronized with diurnal/weather changes ensured efficient water recovery and utilization. The harvested water met WHO quality standards, and a screening life-cycle analysis indicated low cost (~$2.08/unit), low energy demand, and modest environmental impact. Overall, this work demonstrates a scalable, eco-friendly approach to transforming ET losses into a renewable irrigation source, advancing climate-resilient agriculture in arid regions.

Disciplines :

Agriculture & agronomy

Author, co-author :

Wang, Menglu ; Université de Liège - ULiège > TERRA Research Centre

Liu, Buchun

Liu, Enke

Zafar, Saud-uz

Wellens, Joost ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Sphères

Fauconnier, Marie-Laure ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Chemistry for Sustainable Food and Environmental Systems (CSFES)

De Clerck, Caroline ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Plant Sciences

Mei, Xurong

Language :

English

Title :

Closing the evapotranspiration loop: A bio-derived hygroscopic composite for self-sufficient irrigation in arid agriculture

Publication date :

February 2026

Journal title :

Chemical Engineering Journal

ISSN :

1385-8947

eISSN :

1873-3212

Publisher :

Elsevier BV

Pages :

174452

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

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https://api.elsevier.com/content/article/PII:S138589472601911X?httpAccept=text/xml

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