One-step fabrication of all-in-one three-dimensional porous polypyrrole/polydopamine structure for efficient solar vapor generation

Abstract

High-quality solar evaporators with all-in-one design are highly desirable for vapor generation, but relevant research is scarce. In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) porous polypyrrole/polydopamine (PPY/PDA) structure was fabricated via a simple heating-assisted rapid oxidative polymerization method. The obtained evaporator has multiple features, and can simultaneously provide rapid water transport channels (average pore sizes ∼ 18.37 nm), low thermal conductivity (0.071 W m−1 K−1), high solar absorbance (97.08%), and good mechanical properties. When it is employed as an evaporator, the calculated water evaporation rate is approximately 2.12 kg m-2h−1, which is comparable to other reported 3D evaporators. Additionally, the evaporator displays great potential for purification toward various nonpotable water, as well as reliable pure water yields in an outdoor application (from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, the evaporator can produce at least 13.95 L of drinkable water for a 1 m2 sample). We believe that the proposed strategy to fabricate all-in-one evaporators has great significance for scientific research and practical applications.