The sponge-like La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 as interface evaporation material with enhanced photothermal conversion rate

Abstract

Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) has attracted much attention as a method that can use solar energy to efficiently produce water. However, the design and preparation of photothermal materials (PTMs) with excellent performance is still a key challenge in practical applications. In this work, we successfully prepared sponge-like La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) for ISSG. This sponge-like morphology is conducive to its efficient absorption of sunlight, which makes its absorptivity as high as 98.39 %. In addition, the structure of this sample and its excellent hydrophilicity together provide a good channel for water transport and evaporation. Under the 1 sun (1 kW∙m−2) irradiation, the water evaporation of sponge-like LSMO material is 1.616 kg∙m−2∙h−1, and the photothermal conversion efficiency is 94.33 %. Our work demonstrates the potential of LSMO as a PTMs in ISSG.