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    Biomimetic 3D Membranes with MXene Heterostructures for Superior Solar Steam Generation, Water Treatment, and Electricity Generation

    Year: 2021

    Journal: Sol. RRL, Volume 5, NOV

    Authors: Cai, Chenyang; Wang, Yongqin; Wei, Zechang; Fu, Yu

    Organizations: National Natural Science Foundation of China [31770608]; Science and Technology Innovation Project for Overseas Students of Nanjing City (Ningrenshehan) [[2018]214]; Jiangsu Specially-Appointed Professorship Program [[2016]20]

    Keywords: 3D membranes; electricity generation; MoS2; MXene; solar interface generation

    2D MXene materials have shown great potential in photothermal conversion, especially for solar steam generation. However, the obvious light losses at the liquid-solid interfaces still limit its broad applications, thereby resulting in a poor light absorption ability. To this end, a facile and general approach is designed for the construction of nanoflower MXene@MoS2 with excellent photothermal conversion ability via one-step hydrothermal process. Thanks to the multireflective and synergestic effects between MXene and MoS2, the hierarchical MXene@MoS2 heterostructure exhibits broadband light absorption and improved photothermal conversion capacity (69 degrees C after 10 min solar illumination). Furthermore, inspired by the water vapor process in multiple channels of trees, an ultrathin MXene@MoS2-based nanofibrous membrane is assembled via directional electrospinning technology. Compared with traditional irregular channels, the controllable and tree-inspired 3D structure shows competitive advantages in solar absorption and water transport. Thus, the as-prepared self-floating membrane presents durable hydrophobicity (contact angle [CA] = 125 degrees) and a high evaporation rate of 1.39 kg/(m(2)h) (91% efficiency) under 1 sun, which is higher than reported. This 3D MXene-based device also shows promising electrical generation, solar-driven sewage, and desalination treatments (99% desalination efficiency). Such high-performance self-floating photothermal membranes with multifunctionalities might provide an effective strategy for solving the global problems of freshwater shortage.
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