MXene/aramid nanofiber films enables highly efficient photothermal conversion for solar-driven water evaporation

Abstract

Efficient utilization of solar energy is a resultful strategy to solve the problem of shortage of traditional fossil energy. Solar-driven water evaporation is considered as an effective, low-cost, renewable, and environment-friendly technology for clean water production. Herein, a novel MXene/ANF composite film was fabricated by facile vacuum filtration method. Benefiting from the excellent photothermal conversion property of MXene and the flexibility and stability of ANF, the MXene/ANF composite film exhibits high-efficient photothermal conversion and water evaporation ability. The as-prepared MXene/ANF composite film can reach as high as 98.0 °C at the laser power density of 1 kW/m2 and 54.0 °C under the solar power density of 1 kW/m2. Meanwhile, the water evaporation of MXene/ANF composite film can reach 1.432 kg/m2 under the solar power density of 1 kW/m2. Therefore, the MXene/ANF composite films possess a good prospect to be applied as a solar-driven water evaporation device to solve the problem of shortage of traditional fossil energy and inadequate freshwater supply.