EFFECTIVE INORGANIC HYBRID ADSORBENTS OF WATER-VAPOR BY THE SOL-GEL METHOD

The SiO2/CaCl2 hybrid porous materials were obtained by the two-step h ydrolysis and condensation of tetraethoxysilane with (a) replacement o f ethanol from alcogel by supercritical CO2 to obtain aerogel morpholo gy and (b) drying alcogel at ambient to obtain xerogel structures. Aer ogels and xerogels containing similar to 17 and 30 similar to wt % of CaCl2 (dry matter) were prepared and investigated for adsorptivity of water vapor to obtain sorption capacities in excess of 1 kg of water/k g of adsorbate. The adsorbates obtained can be dried and reused. No no table loss in adsorption capacity was observed during 50 cycles.