Mechanically Robust Multi-Interpenetrating Network of Cb Nps@Leather/Hydrogel Nanocomposite For Interfacial Solar Evaporation

Abstract

Porous hydrogels for the fabrication of solar interface evaporation materials stands as one of the most promising approaches to addressing the pressing issue of freshwater scarcity. However, its poor mechanical properties as well as weak interface between the photothermal materials and porous polymer networks limited broad applications. Here, the nanoparticles of carbon black (CB NPs) coated leather matrix were incorporated with PVA/PAA hydrogel to design and fabricate solar interfacial evaporator. Benefiting from the hierarchical and porous structure of collagen fiber clusters with abundant functional groups, CB NPs and hydrogel precursor can be easily interpenetrated into the leather matrix, generating the multiscale and interlocking networks with enhanced strength (16.20 MPa tensile strength, 7.97 MJ/m3 toughness) and interfacial forces (0.08 MPa). Besides, network framework possesses the abundant channels that could facilitate the water transmission, and water evaporation rate of 0.99 kg m-2 h-1, water evaporation efficiency of 71.1%, and stable cycling of more than 12 times (each cycle: 2 h for lighting, 2 h for rest) can be achieved. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to realize hydrogel-based interfacial solar evaporator with outstanding mechanical strength for sustainable seawater desalination.

Keywords: leather, Hydrogel, mechanical properties, interpenetrating networks, interfacial solar evaporation