Scalable NiCo_xS_y-PANI@GF Membranes with Broadband Light Absorption and High Salt-Resistance for Efficient Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation

Abstract

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation has been considered a promising approach to solve clean water scarcity with minimum environmental impact. Herein, we rationally developed a flexible, floating, and high-efficiency solar-driven interfacial water evaporation device by designing a hierarchical structure (NiCo x S y -PANI@GF) in which numerous NiCo x S y nanosheets were vertically and densely grown on a polyaniline (PANI)-modified glass fiber (GF) membrane. The NiCo x S y -PANI@GF with honeycomb-like structures and rough surfaces could produce multiscattering of incident solar light and convert it into heat at the air–water interface. Simultaneously, the hydrophilic NiCo x S y -PANI@GF modified by PANI coating could provide continuous and rapid water supply via the capillary wicking effect. The GF substrate with low thermal conductivity thermally localizes solar heating at the air–water interface by suppressing underline heat loss. The NiCo x S y -PANI@GF achieves a broad-spectrum light absorption rate of 96%, an evaporation rate of 1.30 kg m–2 h–1, and a solar-to-steam efficiency of 78.7% under one solar irradiation. In practical desalination, the homemade devices afford continuous stable operation over 20 h and 15 evaporation cycles. Meanwhile, the excellent hydrophilicity ensures the high salt-resistance ability and excellent self-cleaning performance. Additionally, the high stability and scalability in harsh conditions make the NiCo x S y -PANI@GF competitive for practical full-spectrum and large-scale solar energy harvesting.

Superelastic Clay/Silicone Composite Sponges and Their Applications for Oil/Water Separation and Solar Interfacial Evaporation

“…When the concentration of the NaCl solution was increased to 20 wt %, the evaporation rate decreased only slightly to 1.61 kg m –2 h –1 , as shown in Figure c. This is higher than the evaporation rates of some reported evaporators. − This is because the surface tension of the NaCl aqueous solution increased gradually with increasing of its concentration, which hindered the evaporation of water . Moreover, the LS/CNTs solar evaporator showed good salt resistance.…”

Recent advances in structural regulation and optimization of high-performance solar-driven interfacial evaporation systems

“…2D evaporators, such as metal meshes, membranes, cloths, air-laid paper and cellulose paper modied or assembled with functional photothermal materials were oen used in early SIE applications. 61,74,97,[127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134] The modication or assembly methods include electrostatic spinning, layer-by-layer assembly, dipcoating, etc. For example, by electrostatic spinning, polymeric nanobers encapsulating carbon black nanoparticles can be made into highly exible and repeatedly washable nonwoven cloth with an absorption capacity of more than 94% of the full solar spectrum.…”

“…One isolation method is to use the support materials to keep the solar-absorbing layer at a certain distance from the water surface, and to use the hydrophilic materials as the water transport channels to continuously pump water to the solar-absorbing layer through capillary action. 16,130,137,242,243 However, this approach requires additional support and water transport components, and it is challenging to be applied directly in open water, such as sea desalination. Water needs to be transferred into the storage device before evaporation, which increases the complexity and cost of the operation.…”

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation for water treatment: advanced research progress and challenges

“…For instance, Pt 3 Ni-S-deposited polytetrauoroethylene (PTFE) lms exhibited stable evaporation properties in strong acidic and alkaline solutions, which was attributed to the excellent acid and alkali resistance of PTFE and Pt 3 Ni-S nanowires. 49 Ying et al 50 prepared a exible, oating and efficient SDIE device with a layered structure (NiCoxSy-PANI@GF). Under 1 kW m À2 irradiation (the solar radiation intensity not specially marked below is 1 kW m À2 irradiation by default), the evaporation rate (ER) of NiCoxSy-PANI@GF was 1.30 kg m À2 h À1 .…”

“…Ying et al 50 prepared a flexible, floating and efficient SDIE device with a layered structure (NiCoxSy-PANI@GF). Under 1 kW m −2 irradiation (the solar radiation intensity not specially marked below is 1 kW m −2 irradiation by default), the evaporation rate (ER) of NiCoxSy-PANI@GF was 1.30 kg m −2 h −1 .…”