Efficient Fabrication of Asymmetric Wettability Fiber Membranes Via Melt Centrifugal Spinning for Water Purification and Harvesting in Diverse Scenarios

Abstract

Immediate and efficient access to safe drinking water is essential for outdoor activities, emergency rescue operations, and other critical scenarios. Herein, a lightweight portable water collector based on interfacial solar evaporation is developed to address the limitations of water acquisition in such scenarios. Central to this collector is a mass-produced melt-spun fiber membrane, fabricated by an independently developed melt centrifugal spinning technology. This mass-produced melt-spun fiber membrane integrates bioinspired micro-funnel structures, asymmetric wettability, and photothermal catalytic functionality, achieving a high evaporation rate of 2.14 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ for efficient water purification. With a rational structural design, the evaporated vapor condenses on the transparent cover of the collector, flows into the annular outer tank, and is continuously directed into a storage bag. The portable collector demonstrates strong adaptability in harsh environments, including acidic/alkaline wastewater, seawater, lake water, domestic sewage, and organic sewage. The collected condensate showed minimal impurities, with chemical oxygen demand, total dissolved solids, total organic carbon, and turbidity levels reduced by over 95%. Interestingly, field tests in a lake demonstrated that the portable collector could stably provide approximately 2.13 kg m⁻² day⁻¹ of clean water, enabling practical access to fresh water for outdoor emergencies. This potable collector offers a promising strategy for addressing the global freshwater crisis.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Melt-centrifugal spinning / Fiber membrane / Asymmetric wettability / Water purification / Portable evaporator

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Funding

The National Natural Science Foundation of China(52203037)

The Scientific Research Fund Project of Wuhan Institute of Technology(K2025034)

The National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC3901902)

The National Natural Science Foundation of china(52573034)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China

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