Design of Self-Floating Photothermal Conversion Devices with Solar Steam Generation Capability

Aiming to tackle water pollution from toxic and harmful substances and the lack of clean water, a multifunctional device is designed. The superhydrophobic fabric (M-fabric) is taken as the floating layer. The contact angle of the water droplet on the surface of the M-fabric is 160 degrees, and the recovery of organic solvent can be realized by superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity. The oil/water separation efficiency is 97.7% and the stability of the superhydrophobic fabric is confirmed. Due to the existence of Bi2WO6, the M-fabric can photodegrade soluble pollutants. Based on the detailed analysis of the photoresponse ability, carrier fluorescence lifetime (1.95 ns), and reaction rate constant, the reaction mechanism is proposed. Importantly, the assembled photothermal device has a high rate of solar steam generation for the initially treated sewage. It is hoped that the multi-component synergy can provide new ideas on environmental governance and clean water production.

Automated summary

A multifunctional device was designed to tackle water pollution and the lack of clean water, using superhydrophobic fabric as the floating layer. The device achieved organic solvent recovery and oil/water separation through superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity, as well as photodegradation of soluble pollutants with the presence of Bi2WO6. The assembled photothermal device also showed high efficiency in solar steam generation for treating sewage.