Hydrogels as promising platforms for solar-driven water evaporators

Jing, Xinyu; Liu, Fangfei; Abdiryim, Tursun; Liu, Xiong

doi:10.1016/j.cej.2023.147519

Cited by 28 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 152 publications

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“…Polymer hydrogels with three-dimensional (3D) network structures and water as the dispersion medium are formed by cross-linking hydrophilic polymers. Polymer hydrogels have become the preferred materials for use in human health monitoring, tissue engineering, environmental protection, and agricultural applications, as well as in the electronic-gel, and food industries due to their flexible synthesis methods, adjustable component compositions and mechanical properties, unique biocompatibilities, and highly moist environment for cellular tissue growth. − Polymer hydrogels have been widely used in the aforementioned traditional fields. However, their applications in high-tech fields related to luminophores are limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicone-Enhanced Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels with Intrinsic Photoluminescence and High Mechanical Intensity

Zhang,

Guan,

Chen

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Photoluminescent hydrogels show great potential in the fields of information storage and security, environmental monitoring and protection, in vivo noninvasive monitoring, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Current fluorescent hydrogels are prepared by coupling or doping fluorescent units, such as semiconductor quantum dots, metal−ligand complexes, lanthanide ions, and organic dyes, into polymer hydrogel matrices. However, conventional fluorescent hydrogels have intrinsic defects, including poor photostability, toxicity, and low mechanical strength, which severely limit their applications. In this study, we developed an intrinsically photoluminescent dual-network hydrogel with excellent mechanical properties. Poly(vinyl alcohol) formed the first hydrogel network, with aminopolysiloxane and citric acid forming the second (APSi network) via amidation-cross-linking chemistry. The introduction of the APSi network endowed the hydrogel with photoluminescence and enhanced mechanical properties, which can be adjusted by changing the APSi-network content. The innovatively developed hydrogel possesses intrinsic photoluminescence, excellent light stability, tunable mechanical properties, and is highly biocompatible, which highlights its potential applicability in many fields. This study provides a simple and versatile strategy for preparing novel fluorescent hydrogels with multidisciplinary application potential.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicone-Enhanced Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels with Intrinsic Photoluminescence and High Mechanical Intensity

Zhang,

Guan,

Chen

et al. 2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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“…Meanwhile, the success of SWE technology depends not only on efficient solar-to-heat conversion but also on ensuring an adequate water supply. This can be addressed by utilizing hydrogel materials known for their highly tunable physicochemical properties, including a high capacity to absorb and retain water. − The presence of hydrophilic functional groups within the hydrogel matrix is crucial, as it not only initiates water activation for reducing energy vaporization but also aids in water supply and transportation through the capillary and osmotic pressure. , In addition to this, hydrogel fabrication techniques are readily scalable for large-scale manufacturing, rendering them suitable for industrial use and decentralized water treatment systems. ,, Among many polymers, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) has gained as a prominent choice for supporting substrates in interfacial SWE because of its hydrophilicity and simple fabrication method. ,− With numerous reactive hydroxyl groups along its polymer chain, PVA exhibits excellent film-forming ability, chemical stability, and high hydrophilicity. , However, PVA alone demonstrates low solar absorptance, limiting its application in SWE technology. By incorporating nanomaterials with superior photothermal effects into PVA networks, PVA hydrogels can enhance their ability to harness solar energy effectively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flexible Photothermal Membrane Based on PVA/Carbon Dot Hydrogel Films for High-Performance Interfacial Solar Evaporation

Indriyati,

Ramadhani,

Permatasari

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Polym. Mater.

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Interfacial solar-driven water evaporation (SWE) is gaining attention as a promising solution to address the urgent global water shortage. However, developing materials that are simultaneously flexible, durable, costeffective, and easy to prepare while maintaining high light absorption and performance remains a significant challenge. In response, this study introduces an approach using a hydrogel film based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) integrated with carbon dots (CDs) to leverage their photothermal effect. The preparation method involves mixing and solution casting processes with the addition of citric acid as the green cross-linker, followed by heat treatment. As a result, the swollen PVA/CD hydrogel film exhibits a breaking stress of 9 MPa and an elongation at the break of 247%. Moreover, the hydrophilic nature of PVA ensures efficient water transportation and supply, leading to a remarkable evaporation rate of 1.58 kg m −2 h −1 , 6.1 times higher than that of pure water without hydrogel (0.26 kg m −2 h −1 ), both under 1 sun illumination. Additionally, it demonstrates remarkable stability, maintaining consistent evaporation rates over several cycles, thus indicating its long-term durability and potential for reuse. This study presents a facile yet effective approach to advancing hydrogel films for solar evaporation, offering a promising solution to address water scarcity.

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Fluid Unidirectional Transport Induced by Structure and Ambient Elements across Porous Materials: From Principles to Applications

Huang,

Si,

2024

Advanced Materials

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Spontaneous or non‐spontaneous unidirectional fluid transport across multi‐dimension can occur under specific structural designs and ambient elements for porous materials. While existing reviews have extensively summarized unidirectional fluid transport on surfaces, there is an absence of literature summarizing fluid's unidirectional transport across porous materials. This review introduces wetting phenomena observed on natural biological surfaces or porous structures. Subsequently, it offers an overview of diverse principles and potential applications in this field, emphasizing various physical and chemical structural designs (surface energy, capillary size, topographic curvature) and ambient elements (underwater, under oil, pressure and solar energy). Applications encompass moisture‐wicking fabric, sensors, skincare, fog collection, oil‐water separation, electrochemistry, liquid‐based gating, and solar evaporators. Additionally, we have compiled significant principles and formulas from various studies to offer readers valuable references. Simultaneously, we critically assess potential advantages and challenges in these applications and present our perspectives.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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Hydrogels as promising platforms for solar-driven water evaporators

Cited by 28 publications

References 152 publications

Silicone-Enhanced Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels with Intrinsic Photoluminescence and High Mechanical Intensity

Silicone-Enhanced Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogels with Intrinsic Photoluminescence and High Mechanical Intensity

Flexible Photothermal Membrane Based on PVA/Carbon Dot Hydrogel Films for High-Performance Interfacial Solar Evaporation

Fluid Unidirectional Transport Induced by Structure and Ambient Elements across Porous Materials: From Principles to Applications

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