Stretchable and Superhydrophilic Polyaniline/Halloysite Decorated Nanofiber Composite Evaporator for High Efficiency Seawater Desalination

Abstract

Here, authors report on composition of a stretchable, mechanically durable and superhydrophilic polyaniline (PANI)/halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) decorated PU nanofiber (PANI/HNTs@PU). The polymer nanofibers are placed as the core and PANI/HNTs makes the shell section. The PANI/HNTs creates a membrane with outstanding light absorption and photothermal conversion performance. The strong solar absorption capability and superhydrophilicity of the PANI/HNTs@PU remain almost unchanged during stretching, abrasion, and ultrasonic washing tests, exhibiting superior surface stability and durability. When the PANI/HNTs@PU is used for the interfacial evaporation, the evaporation rate and efficiency reach as high as 1.61 kg m^− 2 h^− 1 and 94.7%, respectively. No salt precipitation is observed on the solar absorber surface even under a high salinity or during the long term or cyclic evaporation test. Furthermore, the excellent interfacial evaporation function is maintained when the nanofiber composite is mechanically stretched. The PANI/HNTs@PU based evaporation device shows promising applications in high performance solar desalination.

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of China(51873178); the Opening Project of State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering (Sichuan University)(sklpme2020-4-03); Qing Lan Project of Yangzhou University and Jiangsu Province(Qing Lan Project of Yangzhou University and Jiangsu Province); High-end Talent Project of Yangzhou University(High-end Talent Project of Yangzhou University); the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions); Postgraduate Research & Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu province(KYCX20_2977); Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Fund of Yangzhou University(Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Fund of Yangzhou University)