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Self-Floating Polydopamine/Polystyrene Composite Porous Structure via a NaCl Template Method for Solar-Driven Interfacial Water Evaporation

Authors :
Xiao Wang
Zhen Li
Xiaojing Wu
Bingjie Liu
Tian Tian
Yi Ding
Haibo Zhang
Yuanli Li
Ye Liu
Chunai Dai
Source :
Polymers, Vol 16, Iss 15, p 2231 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

Solar energy, as a clean and renewable energy source, holds significant promise for addressing water shortages. Utilizing solar energy for water evaporation is seen as an effective solution in this regard. While many existing interfacial photothermal water evaporation systems rely on nanoparticles or graphene as photothermal or support materials, this study introduced polydopamine (PDA) as a photothermal material due to its environmental friendliness and excellent photon absorption characteristics that closely match the solar spectrum. Polystyrene (PS) was also introduced as a support material for its porous structure and density similar to water, enabling it to float on water. The resulting PS-PDA composite porous structure solar evaporator exhibited a photothermal conversion efficiency comparable to nanoparticles (over 75%), yet with lower production costs and minimal environmental impact. This innovative approach offers a scalable solution for water-scarce regions, providing a cost-effective and efficient means to address water scarcity. The use of PDA and PS in this context highlights the potential for utilizing common materials in novel ways to meet pressing environmental challenges.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20734360
Volume :
16
Issue :
15
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Polymers
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.009395971bc5497e8a2dcdaf56e440fe
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16152231