Solar steam generation by porous conducting polymer hydrogel.

Efficient evaporation and salt-resistant durability can be achieved simultaneously on a porous PEDOT:PSS hydrogel. The interfacial solar steam generation system remains stable after 30 days or 60 cycles of continuous desalination in saline water, with an average evaporation rate and steam evaporation efficiency yield of 2.76 kg·m−2·h−1 and 93.2 % under 1 sun illumination. [Display omitted] • A porous PEDOT:PSS hydrogel is prepared via a simple one-step fabrication method. • PEDOT:PSS hydrogel can achieve an average evaporation rate and steam evaporation efficiency of 2.76 kg·m−2·h−1 and 93.2 % on an interfacial solar stream generation system. • The system remains stable after 30 days or 60 cycles of continuous desalination of saline water. • Water molecules in PEDOT:PSS hydrogel consume less energy to evaporate due to effective polymer-water interaction. • The system can produce purified water from seawater or dye wastewater in practical solar desalination. A hydrogel prepared with conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene): poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is used as the photothermal material. Water molecules in the PEDOT:PSS hydrogel consumes less energy to evaporate due to the activation of PSS part to water molecules by polymer-water interaction. With a fully wrapped insulation structure to concentrate heat on the SSG surface, the average evaporation rate and the steam evaporation efficiency yield 2.76 kg·m−2·h−1 and 93.2 % under 1 sun illumination intensity, respectively. More importantly, after 30 days of continuous desalination in saline water, the average evaporation rate remains at 2.66 kg·m−2·h−1 in association with neglectable morphology changes. The frameworks of PEDOT carrying positive charges can intercept chlorine anions, which alleviates the blockage of salt particles. The simple fabrication method, efficient energy utilization, and excellent durability make our SSG system promising for practical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]