Solar-Powered High-Efficiency Interface Evaporator Based on Polyimide Nanofiber Aerogel for Water Purification
Yanan Liu, Yanan Liu, Ming Hao, Xiaodong Hu, Zhijun Chen, Bo Yang, Yanbo Liu, Yanbo Liu, Xiaoxiao Wang, Yen Wei
Abstract
Interfacial solar steam generation has been regarded as a promising method to produce freshwater from seawater. Nevertheless, achieving simultaneous optimization of high evaporation efficiency along with stability and durability remains a substantial obstacle for polyimide (PI)-based solar evaporators. Herein, a hierarchically structured PI/MXene composite aerogel was prepared by electrostatic spinning, freeze-drying, and thermal imidization. The combination of PI nanofibers and MXene endows the hybrid aerogels with three-dimensional porous structures, intriguing hydrophilicity, and high light absorption, resulting in augmented light-to-heat conversion efficiency. Furthermore, the PI/MXene composite aerogel exhibits an excellent water evaporation rate of 1.459 kg m –2 h –1 under 1 sun with a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.6%. The PI/MXene composite aerogel possesses distinct salt resistance, eminent structural stability, and remarkable cycling stability with an evaporation rate of 1.24 kg m –2 h –1 over 10 cycles. This work provides a prospective strategy for constructing highly efficient solar-powered generator with stable performance for practical application in seawater desalination.