Abstract
The dual-functional Bi2WO6/polydopamine (PDA)-modified gauze membrane has been developed for applications in photocatalytic degradation and solar steam generation. Two types of membrane were prepared by changing the growth sequence of Bi2WO6 nanomaterials and PDA on gauze substrates. The spatial distribution of Bi2WO6 and polydopamine has a great influence on light absorption, photocatalytic degradation, and solar steam generation performances. Bi2WO6 photocatalysts can absorb short-wavelength light for the photocatalytic decoloration of organic dyes. The photothermal polydopamine can convert light into heat for water evaporation. Besides, the gauze substrate provides water transport channels to facilitate water evaporation. The morphology, surface chemistry, and optical properties of Bi2WO6-PDA modified gauzes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectra. The photothermal properties, wetting properties, and solar steam generation rates of the composite films were also studied. Degradation of 96% of indigo carmine was achieved after being irradiated for 120 min in the presence of G/PDA/BWNP. The water evaporation rates of the G/BWP/PDA sample under the irradiation of an Xe lamp (light intensity = 1000 W/m2) reached 1.94 kg·m−2·h−1.
Highlights
Developing practical approaches to obtain clean water and eliminate pollutants is an important issue for our society because of the increasing world population [1] and water contamination caused by various industrial production processes
In the solar steam generation experiment, 20 mL of water was added to a beaker with a diameter of 2.9 cm, and the sample was floated on the water
The fiber surface morphology of the membrane changed after the growth of Bi2 WO6 nanoplates and polydopamine on the surface of gauze, as observed by the FESEM images
Summary
Developing practical approaches to obtain clean water and eliminate pollutants is an important issue for our society because of the increasing world population [1] and water contamination caused by various industrial production processes. The development of dual-functional membranes for water treatment by the combined solar steam generation and photocatalytic degradation approaches is worth studying. Considering the high activity of Bi2 WO6 , together with the broad optical absorption and excellent photothermal conversion characteristics of PDA, two types of PDABi2 WO6 -gauze-based dual-functional membranes, G/BWP/PDA and G/PDA/BWNP , were developed by the sequential growth of Bi2 WO6 nanomaterials and PDA on gauze substrates through microwave-assisted hydrothermal and self-polymerization methods. The effects of the spatial distribution of Bi2 WO6 and polydopamine on the light absorption properties, photocatalytic degradation, and solar steam generation performances of these films were studied. The effects of the spatial distribution of Bi2WO6 and polydopamine on the light absorpt properties, photocatalytic degradation, and solar steam generation performances of th films were studied
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