Shape-transformable long-lasting superhydrophilic carbon cloth for sustainable solar vapor generation
Do Van Lam, Uyen Nhat Trieu Nguyen, Dao Thi Dung, Chan Kim, Mikyung Lim, Jae‐Hyun Kim, Seung‐Mo Lee
Abstract
Global water scarcity has spurred the quest for eco-friendly, cost-effective solar-based water desalination and purification methods. However, creating an efficient and durable solar evaporator still remains a formidable challenge. Here, we demonstrated that a rapid and straightforward air plasma activation process can transform a commercially available hydrophobic carbon cloth into a shape-transformable superhydrophilic solar evaporator enriched with nitrogen and oxygen dopants. The activated carbon cloth preserved the merits of the original material and exhibited long-term wettability and salt-rejection properties which are critical for the realization of stable solar vapor generation. Notably, the resulting activated carbon cloth achieved a remarkable vapor evaporation rate of 1.78 kg m - 2 h -1 under one-sun irradiation, likely thanks to the abundance of surface intermediate waters that reduce the enthalpy required for evaporation. Furthermore, the constructed column-like solar evaporator with a 5-cm height exhibited an impressive evaporation rate of 3.82 kg m - 2 h -1 under one-sun irradiation.