Multifunctional aerogel with antibiofouling properties for efficient solar steam generation and seawater desalination

Abstract

Water purification through solar steam generation is an emerging renewable technology with a massive capacity for freshwater generation. However, designing a multifunctional evaporating system with efficient solar-driven steam conversion along with seawater desalination is still a challenge for large scale freshwater generation. Herein, we propose a design for multifunctional photothermal aerogel containing Ag3VO4 nanoparticles incorporated in reduced graphene oxide with prominent characteristics of large surface area, higher porosity, and surface roughness. The proposed aerogel is fabricated via a facile method and can be used as an all-in-one system for water decontamination via solar steam generation, photocatalytic degradation/disinfection of organic pollutants and desalination of seawater simultaneously. The photothermal aerogel simply floats on air-water interface, with a higher flux of localized heat at the surface that efficiently promotes water evaporation at a rate of 2.1 kg/(m2 h). Moreover, the aerogel can denaturalize microorganism and desalinate seawater even under saline conditions. We anticipate that such an efficient and stable photothermal aerogel will offer a sustainable strategy for water purification via desalination, decomposition, and solar steam generation allowing us to address the current clean water crisis on a large scale.