Bioinspired Micro/Nanostructured Polyethylene/Poly(Ethylene Oxide)/Graphene Films with Robust Superhydrophobicity and Excellent Antireflectivity for Solar–Thermal Power Generation, Thermal Management, and Afterheat Utilization

Abstract

The rational utilization and circulation of multiple energy sources is an effective way to address the crises of energy shortages and environmental pollution. Herein, microextrusion compression molding, an industrialized polymer molding technology that combines melt blending and compression molding, is proposed for the mass production of a bioinspired micro/nanostructured polyethylene/poly(ethylene oxide)/graphene (MN-PPG) film. The MN-PPG film exhibits robust shape stability, high storage energy density, and excellent thermal management capability owing to the cocontinuous network formed by poly(ethylene oxide) and the polyethylene matrix. The MN-PPG film has sufficient photothermal property due to the uniformly dispersed graphene nanosheets and the bioinspired surface micro/nanostructures. Interestingly, the MN-PPG film surface exhibits durable superhydrophobicity, acid/alkali resistance, and active deicing performance. Further, a multifunctional energy harvesting and circulation system was established by integrating the MN-PPG film, an LED chip, and a thermoelectric module. The hybrid system produced an open-circuit voltage of 315.4 mV and power output of 2.5 W m–2 under 3 sun irradiation. Furthermore, the afterheat generated by the LED chips at night can be converted into electricity through thermoelectric conversion. The proposed method enables the large-scale fabrication of multifunctional phase change composites for energy harvesting in harsh environments.

Self-induced interface enhanced moisture-harvesting and light-trapping toward high performance electric power generation

“…2g). 9,12,13 After 30 s, the microgroove structure is successfully replicated on the PSSA-Kc film from ME by the self-induced imprinting strategy. After annealing for interface consolidation and water desorption, the microstructure of the interface architecture is prebuilt and the IEG is ready for electric output.…”

“…5h and i). 12,49 Consequently, IAM results in the coupling effect of antireflection and light trapping, which can improve the absorbance of the IEG. This consequence is in good agreement with the experimental results.…”

Efficient Fabrication of Micro/Nanostructured Polyethylene/Carbon Nanotubes Foam with Robust Superhydrophobicity, Excellent Photothermality, and Sufficient Adaptability for All‐Weather Freshwater Harvesting

“…Therefore, the adaptability and durability of the actual environment are critical factors for the long-term work and large-scale application of the MN-PCG foam. [39,40] As shown in Figure 3a, the MN-PCG foam surface exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity. Specifically, a 4 µL water droplet on the MN-PCG foam surface shows a higher contact angle (CA) of 156 ± 2° than 95 ± 2°of the PCs10 foam under the action of the surface micro-nanostructures (Figure 3b,c).…”

Shelter Forest Inspired Superhydrophobic Flame‐Retardant Composite with Root‐Soil Interlocked Micro/Nanostructure Enhanced Mechanical, Physical, and Chemical Durability

“…As an industrial-scale method, µ-ECM not only has the advantages of the biaxial eccentric rotor extruder (ERE) in fabricating high solid content and multiphase composites but also has the accuracy of injection compression molding in constructing surface micro/nanostructures. [36][37][38][39][40] Using µ-ECM, a shelter forest-inspired root-like microstructure is designed and fabricated on the MEA flame retardant composite surface. Then the soil-like nanostructure is spray-coated on the microstructure surface.…”