Self-floating hybrid hydrogels assembled with conducting polymer hollow spheres and silica aerogel microparticles for solar steam generation. Issue 3 (21st December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tan, Mengyao; Wang, Jin; Song, Wenhui; Fang, Jianhui; Zhang, Xuetong
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 7:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 1244
• Page End: 1251
• Publication Date: 2018-12-21
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ta10057h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : Self-floating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based hybrid hydrogels for efficient solar steam generation with a highest production rate of 1.83 kg m −2 h −1 under 1 sun illumination are designed and synthesized by assembling conducting polymer hollow spheres and aerogel microparticles within the network. Abstract : The design and synthesis of solar steam generation materials have received considerable attention due to their capacity to produce freshwater from seawater or contaminated water by a straightforward utilisation of solar energy. The practical application of these materials, however, is restricted by their low evaporation efficiency and non-durable floating capacity on water. Herein, flexible and self-floating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based hybrid hydrogels for solar steam generation are designed and synthesized by assembling two types of functional particles within the network: conducting polymer hollow spheres (CPHSs) for achieving solar absorption and heat conversion, and silica aerogel microparticles for density reduction and efficient energy conversion confined to a small amount of surrounding water. Following a freezing process, functionalized hybrid hydrogels with macro-sized channels are generated, contributing to rapid water supply. The Janus surface nature, with one side being hydrophilic (contact angle ca. 60°) and another hydrophobic (contact angle up to 135°), of the hybrid hydrogel was found due to the formation of a gradient distribution of silica aerogel particles via controlling the gelation conditions. Consequently, the density of the hybrid hydrogels is controlled in the range of 0.8–1.0 g cm −3 and the thermal conductivity of the corresponding xerogels in the range of 0.030–0.035 W m −1 K −1, depending on the content of the silica aerogels. High water production of the hybrid hydrogel at a rate of 1.83 kg m −2 h −1 under 1 sun illumination has been demonstrated, which is an important step towards a cost-effective solution for the scarcity of clean water.