Facile preparation of MXene and protonated-g-C3N4 on natural latex foam for highly efficient solar steam generation

Herein, low-cost and facile preparation of solar steam generator based on PVA/MXene and protonated g-C3N4 coated on natural latex foam (LF) was reported. The as-prepared photothermal evaporator demonstrates excellent light absorption of 93% and hydrophilic surface due to PVA/MXene and p-g-C3N4 coating. As a result, the PVA/MXene and p-g-C3N4 delivers a water evaporation rate of 1.85 kg m(-2)h(-1) and solar steam efficiency of 93.5% were achieved under 1 kW cm(-2), and surpassed the most recently reported on MXene and LF-based evaporators. This study provides an alternative approach to enhance solar water evaporation performance and promising for drinkable water and applicable for industrial wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

This study presents a low-cost and facile method for preparing a solar steam generator based on PVA/MXene and protonated g-C3N4 coated on natural latex foam (LF). The prepared photothermal evaporator shows excellent light absorption and hydrophilic surface, resulting in a high water evaporation rate and solar steam efficiency. It provides an alternative approach to enhance solar water evaporation performance, with potential applications in drinkable water and industrial wastewater treatment.