2025
Science Advances, Sci. Adv. 11,

Amphiphilic nanopores that condense undersaturatedwater vapor and exude water droplets

Header image

Abstract

Condensation of water vapor in confined geometries, known as capillary condensation, is a fundamental phenomenon with far-reaching implications. While hydrophilic pores enable liquid formation from undersaturated vapor without energy input, the condensate typically remains confined, limiting practical utility. Here, we explore the use of amphiphilic nanoporous polymer-infiltrated nanoparticle films that condense and release liquid water under isothermal and undersaturated conditions. By tuning the polymer fraction and nanoparticle size, we optimize condensation and droplet formation. As vapor pressure increases, voids fill with condensate, which subsequently exudes onto the surface as microscopic droplets. This behavior, enabled by a balance of polymer hydrophobicity and capillarity, reveals how amphiphilic nanostructures can drive accessible water collection. Our findings provide design insights for materials supporting energy-efficient water harvesting and heat management without external input.

Topic

spectroscopic ellipsometry

Author

Baekmin Q. Kim1†, Zachariah Vicars1†, Máté Füredi2,3, Lilia F. Escobedo1, R. Bharath Venkatesh1‡, Stefan Guldin2,4,5, Amish J. Patel1*, Daeyeon Lee1

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