Versatile Janus structured integrated device for photodynamic heat transformation

Abstract

The interface photodynamic heat transformation technology is one of the most promising solar energy application technologies. Despite the vigorous development of high-efficiency interface conversion materials, hindrances such as low conversion rate and poor stability are still encountered. Herein, the Cu0.95V2O5 (CuVO) protected by the Janus structure based on copper foam (CF) was successfully prepared and applied to photodynamic steam generation for the first time. Among them, the epoxy resin coating ensures the stability of CuVO in hostile environments and promotes the absorption rate of the absorber in the infrared band. The evaporation rate of the Janus evaporator stabilized at 1.75 kg m−2 h−1 after 1 h in real seawater (1 kw m−2). The super-hydrophilic/hydrophobic Janus structure was applied to sewage treatment and has achieved an ion removal rate of up to 99.9%. Meanwhile, the absorber has excellent light response performance, and can accurately monitor the outdoor sun illumination in a small surface temperature range. In this study, the epoxy-protected Janus evaporator demonstrates a new paradigm for photodynamic water treatment with outstanding characteristics such as low heat loss, high evaporation rate, super salt resistance, and self-cleaning performance, providing an effective strategy for the application of photodynamic materials as a sensor.