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[Display omitted] • An efficient inclined solar evaporator based on polypyrrole/polydopamine was designed. • The evaporator exhibited an evaporation rate of 3.02 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun. • A salinity gradient can be obtained by the interfacial evaporation process. • The system can achieve an open-circuit voltage of 56 mV during electricity generation. Water-electricity cogeneration using solar energy is an innovative technology to address global freshwater shortages and energy demands. Here, we designed an inclined evaporator based on polypyrrole/polydopamine photothermal materials for efficient water evaporation and electricity cogeneration. Due to the ingenious inclined structure of the evaporator, the water transport was highly promoted by gravity and siphon effect. This process not only improves the evaporation flux of water, but also create a salinity gradient that can be used for further electricity generation. The designed inclined PPy/PDA@MF evaporator exhibits an evaporation flux of 3.02 kg m−2 h−1 under one sun irradiance and achieves an open-circuit voltage of 56 mV during the electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This research investigates the enhanced near-infrared absorption of Cs 0.32 WO 3 nanoparticles for efficient interfacial solar steam generation. • Cs 0.32 WO 3 nanoparticles effectively converted solar energy into heat, resulting in efficient interfacial steam generation. • The synthetic nanoparticles were incorporated into a porous membrane, which showed a high evaporation rate of ∼ 3.15 kg·m−2·h−1 under one sun illumination. Solar steam generation has gained significant attention as a promising method for clean and sustainable water purification and desalination. The spectral absorption performance of the photothermal conversion material directly affects its thermal conversion efficiency. This research investigates the enhanced near-infrared absorption of Cs 0.32 WO 3 nanoparticles for efficient interfacial solar steam generation. In this study, Cs 0.32 WO 3 nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation and heat treatment method. The synthetic nanoparticles were then incorporated into a porous membrane to create a photothermal conversion material for solar steam generation and their near-infrared absorption properties were characterized. The experimental results demonstrated that the Cs 0.32 WO 3 nanoparticles effectively converted solar energy into heat, resulting in efficient interfacial steam generation. The membrane showed a high evaporation rate of of ∼ 3.15 kg·m−2·h−1 under one sun illumination. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the design and development of efficient solar steam generation systems using near-infrared absorption nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The porous carbon polyhedron is obtained from controlled carbonization of Ba-BDC. • PCP-based evaporator and device realize freshwater production and energy harvesting. • Evaporator shows the evaporation rate of 2.74 kg m-2h−1 with efficiency of 98.2 % • Device shows the open-circuit voltage of 210 mV with the good cycling stability. The integration of interfacial solar steam generation with water evaporation-driven electricity generation is regarded as one of the most hopeful strategies for addressing global energy and freshwater crises. However, constructing low-cost, multi-functional porous carbon materials-based devices for freshwater-electricity co-generation remains challenging. Herein, we report the preparation of porous carbon polyhedron (PCP) by the controllable carbonization of barium-based metal–organic frameworks produced by the two-step ball milling of waste polyester bottles, and subsequently fabricate PCP-based solar evaporators and energy harvesting devices, capable of freshwater production and electrical energy generation all day. The as-prepared PCP evaporator owns good hydrophilicity, sunlight absorption, excellent photothermal conversion capability as well as low evaporation enthalpy. Under 1 Sun irradiation, it exhibits the evaporation flux of 2.74 kg m-2h−1 as well as the conversion efficiency of 98.2 %. Importantly, the PCP evaporator-based energy generation device realizes the open-circuit voltage of 212 mV, along with the good cycling stability. The well-developed pore channels, large specific surface area, and abundant functional groups are proved to be key parameters for electricity generation. Furthermore, the density functional theory model result unravels that the as-formed potential field inhibits OH–, thus creating a potential difference between upper and lower terminals. This research outlines a "Win-Win" strategy aimed at achieving environmentally friendly, high-value repurposing of waste polyester. Additionally, it aims to develop sophisticated co-generation devices for producing both freshwater and electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The 3D aerogel of chitosan and GnP was synthesized via templating and freeze-drying. • Changing solution concentration adjusts gel density, influencing fluid transport. • Chitosan/GnP aerogel leverages both high and low density benefits. • Analyzing evaporation features via aerogel aspect ratio and wind speed control. • Laminated chitosan/GnP aerogel maintains water-ion balance, preventing salt buildup. Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) is a novel approach to freshwater generation. In practical utilization of new ISSG technology, achieving high evaporation rate is a crucial step. A three-dimensional (3D) solar absorber can increase the exposed surface area and enhance the escape of water molecules to the surrounding environment. However, vigorous evaporation induces to dry out the evaporator quickly, leading to damage its structure or decreased efficiency. In this context, a transversely laminated aerogel-based 3D evaporator is proposed. For this, chitosan/graphene nanoplatelets (CG) are incorporated to create laminated CG (LCG) aerogels having two different densities in a single structure. The results demonstrate that LCG aerogels exhibit rapid water-rise ability and excellent solar absorption characteristics. The laminated structure enhances mechanical strength and maintains balanced water and ion gradients sustainably, inducing a wettable and evaporation-enhanced condition. With these advantages, the evaporation rate of LCG aerogels with aspect ratio (AR) of 7 achieves 2.17 kg m−2h−1. In addition, evaporation experiments were conducted by applying precisely-controlled wind in a wind tunnel to the 3D evaporator. At a wind speed of 6 m s−1, the proposed evaporator achieves a maximum evaporation rate of 5.98 kg m−2h−1. Aerogel with a single density is better suited for situations where only solar radiation is present, while the LCG aerogel, which can utilize the features of two densities at the same time, is more effective in windy conditions. The evaporation efficiency is over 73 % for seawater and 20 wt% high-concentration NaCl solution, showing excellent durability with salt-resistance. The proposed aerogel-based evaporators would be utilized as a sustainable seawater desalination technology for environmentally friendly freshwater production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 2D laminate films prepared via a hybrid dimensional design of Chiber, MWCNT, and rGO. • The 2D film achieves a high water evaporation rate of 2.10 kg·m−2·h−1 under one sun. • 0.45 V of electricity is generated in the saturated NaCl solution during evaporation. • Lamellar structure and nanopores supply good water transport and thermal management. • Molecular-level elucidation of electricity generation through MD simulation. Emerging water purification technology, known as interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG), has been rapidly developing in recent years. ISSG offers a promising solution to address both freshwater shortage and energy demand by simultaneously producing freshwater and electricity. This is achieved through the combination of microporous films and highly efficient photothermal materials. In this study, we have developed a composite film using a 2D material, reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and a combination of 1D materials, chitin fiber@multi-walled carbon nanotube (Chiber@CNT). Through a hybrid dimensional design, these materials' advantages are integrated, resulting in a composite film with a distinct laminar porous structure and excellent broadband absorption. Notably, under 1 kW·m−2 sunlight irradiation, the composite film achieves a water evaporation flux of 2.10 kg·m−2·h−1 with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 75.79%. In addition, by utilizing an energy-harvesting strategy based on natural water evaporation in porous nanomaterials for power generation, the composite film successfully enables the simultaneous production of freshwater and electricity. Its output voltage reaches 0.39 V in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. Furthermore, the film's output voltage varies with the concentration of NaCl, increasing from 0.26 V (in deionized water) to 0.45 V (in the saturated NaCl solution). Molecular dynamic simulation results indicate that the enhanced power generation can be attributed to the difference in interatomic interaction strength between ions and hydrophilic functional groups in chitin fiber (Chiber). This finding provides a deep physical mechanism and opens up possibilities for the film's application in highly concentrated salt solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]