Preparation and properties of a sodium alginate based gel for dust suppression and moisture regulation

To address the serious dust pollution during coal mining and the limitations of traditional water injection methods, which suffer from poor wetting and short water retention, this study prepared a three-dimensional humidity-regulating gel (Gel-P) using sodium alginate (SA), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na), and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) as the main raw materials. The performance and dust suppression mechanism of this gel were analyzed through structural characterization and functional tests. Experimental results showed that when the ratio of SA:CMC-Na:CaCl 2 was 8:1.5:0.2, the gel reached its maximum response value. The combined FTIR and XRD analyses indicate that the chemical environment and structure of SA and CMC-Na changed after the formation of Gel-P, resulting in the formation of a polymer network. SEM images revealed that the gel possessed numerous adsorption sites, enabling it to effectively adhere to and encapsulate coal dust. Gel-P achieved a maximum water absorption of 213 g, extended water retention time to 50 h, and exhibited a moisture buffering value of 0.045 kg/(m 2 %RH), allowing spontaneous water absorption and release behavior in response to environmental humidity. In summary, the gel demonstrates excellent moisture absorption, water retention, adhesion, and humidity regulation capabilities, offering an effective solution for coal dust pollution and providing new technical support for safe mining operations.