MoS2 supported hydrophilic porous membrane for solar water evaporation

Abstract

Solar powered interfacial water evaporation has become one of the most direct and sustainable technologies for seawater desalination. However, developing an efficient, stable evaporator with good salt resistance is a critical and challenging. In this work, MoS2-CNT@C membranes synthesized by loading 1T/2H MoS2 flower spheres on the CNT@C hierarchically porous membrane by hydrothermal method are used as solar water evaporators. MoS2-CNT@C membranes, as photothermal conversion materials, have broadband solar absorption capacity and good hydrophilicity. The porous structure of CNT@C membrane can provide great water transport channels, and the decoration of flower spheres MoS2 enhances the internal reflection which can increase the sunlight absorption capacity, resulting in a jump in water evaporation properties. The membrane has a high evaporation rate of 2.53 kg m−2h−1 under one sun illumination. In addition, the evaporation rate of the sample in seawater reaches 2.51 kg m−2h−1, similar to that in the pure water, and remains stable after several evaporation cycles, ensuring that high quality fresh water can be produced during the desalination.