Salt Ions Research Articles

Introducing the concept of generalized thermal diffusivity to understand coupled heat–charge transport in ionic solutions

A theoretical framework addressing the coupled thermal and charge transport phenomena in ionic solutions is here developed. Starting from the microscopic definitions of thermal and charge currents from Onsager formulation of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, a unique, very general and compact form of the governing differential equation for the evolution of a temperature profile is derived. In particular, the concept of generalized thermal diffusivity is introduced to capture the overall effect of the coupling between heat and charge transport in a single phenomenological coefficient as well as to shed light on the non-equivalent situations of concurrent or discordant heat and charge currents. To validate our theoretical framework, an ionic salt solution of NaCl in water is investigated.

A novel ZIF-L/PEI thin film nanocomposite membrane for removing perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from water: Enhanced retention and high flux

Membrane separation technology is widely recognized as an effective method for removing perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water treatment. ZIF-L, a metal-organic framework (MOF) family characterized by its mat-like cavities and leaf-like morphology, has garnered considerable interest and has been extensively employed in fabricating thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. In this study, a robust, high-performance TFN membrane to remove PFASs in a nanofiltration (NF) process was created through an interfacial polymerization approach on the surface of polysulfone (PSF), incorporating ZIF-L within the selective layer. The TFN membrane modified by adding 5 wt% ZIF-L (relative to the weight of ethylene imine polymer (PEI)) exhibits 2.3 times higher water flux (up to 47.56 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1) than the pristine thin film composite membrane (20.46 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1), and the rejection for typical PFASs were above 95 % (98.47 % for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and 95.85 % for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)). The effectiveness of the ZIF-L/PEI TFN membrane in retaining representative PFASs was examined under various conditions, including different pressures, feed concentrations, aqueous environments, and salt ions. Notably, the experiments demonstrated that even after contamination with humic acid (HA), >88 % of the water flux could be restored by washing. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to predict the distinct intermolecular interactions between PFASs and ZIF-L as well as PEI. These calculations provide additional insights into the interception mechanism of TFN membranes towards PFASs. Based on this study, TFN membranes incorporating MOF as nanofillers show great potential as an effective method for purifying PFASs from aqueous environments and possess superior environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

HAuCl4-mediated green synthesis of highly stable Au NPs from natural active polysaccharides: Synthetic mechanism and antioxidant property

Polysaccharide-functionalized gold nanoparticles (Polysaccharide-Au NPs) with high stability were successfully prepared by a straightforward method. Notably, the Au (III) ion acts as a strong Lewis acid to facilitate glycosidic bond breaking. Subsequently, the polysaccharide conformation was transformed to an open-chain form, exposing highly reduced aldehyde or ketone groups that reduce Au (III) to Au (0) crystal species, further growing into Au NPs. As-prepared Au NPs displayed excellent stability over a longer storage period (more than 70 days), a wide range of temperatures (25–60 °C), and pH range (3−11), varying concentrations (0–200 mM) and types of salt ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+), and glutathione solutions (5 mM). More interestingly, polysaccharide-Au NPs retained the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides and reduced oxidative damage at the cellular level through decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The intracellular levels of ROS pretreated with polysaccharide and polysaccharide-Au NPs were decreased 53.12–75.85 % compared to the H2O2 group, respectively. Therefore, the green synthesized Au NPs from natural active polysaccharides exhibit potential applications in biomedical fields.

Chloride ion sequestration by vetiver root biosorption: isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic analyses and ANN prediction

ABSTRACT The present research investigates the potential of activated vetiver root powder as a bioadsorbent for removing chloride ions from saline aqueous environments, especially relevant for addressing agricultural water scarcity. Factors such as pH, biomass dosage, contact duration, and initial salt ion concentration were examined. Thermodynamic analysis provided insights into the adsorption process, demonstrating the feasibility, non-spontaneous behavior, and exothermic nature of chloride ion adsorption onto activated vetiver root powder. The batch adsorption of chlorides adhered to the Langmuir equation and a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, demonstrating a monolayer adsorption capacity of 17.58 mg/g for activated vetiver powder. An artificial neural network (ANN) was used to develop a predictive model for estimating the percentage removal of chloride ions. The values of R2 and mean squared error were used to determine the predictive performance of the ANN. In the near term, prospective commercial uses of activated vetiver powder merit further investigation through in-depth research using real wastewater containing salinity-inducing ion.

Морфология и электрофизические свойства модифицированных ленгмюровских пленок оксида графена

The work devoted to study of the electrical properties and morphology of Langmuir-Blodgett films of modified graphene oxide (GO). The Langmuir-Blodgett method was used for studying of formation process of Langmuir monolayers formed on the subphase contained dissolved ions of tin chloride salt. The compression isotherms of monolayers formed in the presence of tin ions shifted towards larger occupied areas. Langmuir monolayers of graphene oxide formed under various conditions were transferred on solid substrates and studied by atomic force microscopy and voltammetry. It has been established that the presence of tin ions in the aqueous subphase leads to changes in the morphology of the formed films. Thus, the average roughness and surface area of such films increased from 0.2 nm and 0.04 μm2 to 5.4 nm and 0.46 μm2, respectively. The presence of tin ions dissolved in the aqueous subphase influenced the type of current-voltage characteristics of the films under study. The maximum reverse current increases from 075 nA to -0.3 nA and the resistance increases from 11 GOhm to 700 GOhm. Temperature annealing of the graphene oxide film at 300°C leads to a decrease in the maximum forward current and an increase in the reverse current from 0.0407 nA and -0.071 nA to 0.0065 nA and 0.0616 nA, respectively. For a film formed in the presence of ions in the subphase, annealing does not affect the maximum forward current, and the current of the reverse branch of the current-voltage characteristic increases from -0.1669 nA to 0.0468 nA.

Room Temperature Ionic Liquid Capping Layer for High Efficiency FAPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells with Long-Term Stability.

Ionic liquid salts (ILs) are generally recognized as additives in perovskite precursor solutions to enhance the efficiency and stability of solar cells. However, the success of ILs incorporation as additives is highly dependent on the precursor formulation and perovskite crystallization process, posing challenges for industrial-scale implementation. In this study, a room-temperature spin-coated IL, n-butylamine acetate (BAAc), is identified as an ideal passivation agent for formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) films. Compared with other passivation methods, the room-temperature BAAc capping layer (BAAc RT) demonstrates more uniform and thorough passivation of surface defects inthe FAPbI3 perovskite. Additionally, it provides better energy level alignment for hole extraction. As a result, the champion n-i-p perovskite solar cell with a BAAc capping layer exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.76%, with an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.19V, and a Voc loss of ≈330mV. The PCE of the perovskite mini-module with BAAc RT reaches 20.47%, showcasing the effectiveness and viability of this method for manufacturing large-area perovskite solar cells. Moreover, the BAAc passivation layer also improves the long-term stability of unencapsulated FAPbI3 perovskite solar cells, enabling a T80 lifetime of 3500h when stored at 35% relative humidity at room temperature in an air atmosphere.

Unveiling the dynamic change in the ionic conductivity of a solid-state binary mixture comprising an organic ionic plastic crystal and LiBF4

The binary composites of organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) and lithium salts are a promising new class of solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). One of the primary areas of research to enable their application into battery devices is to understand their complex physicochemical features, in particular their phase behaviors in response to changing compositions and the ensuing correlation with ionic conductivities. Herein, the phase behaviors and transport properties of binary OIPC–lithium-salt composites are reported over the full compositional window using N-ethyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate ([C2mpyr][BF4]) and lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4). The phase diagram of the Lix[C2mpyr]1–x[BF4] electrolyte was constructed and used to not only provide valuable insights into the key composition–property relationships but also guide the selection of Li+ concentrations in OIPC composites for Li+-based ASSBs. Differential scanning calorimetry and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed the emergence of intermediate secondary phases as the composition was varied. Significant and sudden variations in ionic conductivity at or near the Li+-concentration-driven phase transitions were attributed to the presence of these intermediate phases which ultimately provide the dominant contribution to the ionic conductivity of the Lix[C2mpyr]1–x[BF4] electrolyte.

Competitive mechanism of salt-tolerance/degradation-performance of organic pollutant in bacteria: Na+/H+ antiporters contribute to salt-stress resistance but impact phenol degradation

Phenolic-laden wastewater is typically characterized by its high toxicity and high salinity, imposing serious limits on the application of bioremediation. Although a few halotolerant microorganisms have been reported to degrade phenol, their removal efficiency on high concentrations of phenol remains unsatisfactory. What's more, the deep interaction molecular mechanism of salt-tolerance/phenol-degradation performance has not been clearly revealed. Here, a halotolerant strain Aeribacillus pallidus W-12 employed a meta-pathway to efficiently degrade high concentration of phenol even under high salinity conditions. Investigation of salt-tolerance strategy indicated that four Na+/H+ antiporters, which are widely distributed in bacteria, synergistically endowed the strain with excellent salt adaptability. All these antiporters differentially but positively responded to salinity changes and induction of phenol, forming a synergistic transport effect on salt ions and phenol. In-depth analysis revealed a competitive relationship between salt tolerance and degradation performance, which significantly impaired the degradation efficiency at relatively high salinity. The efficient degradation performance of W-12 under different phenol concentrations and salinity conditions indicated its bioremediation potential for multiple types of phenolic wastewater. Collectively, the competitive mechanism of salt tolerance and degradation performance enlightens a new strategy of introducing or re-constructing Na+/H+ antiporters to further improve bioremediation efficiency of hypersaline organic wastewater.

Reduced driving electric field of ionic salt doped nano-structured polymer dispersed liquid crystals device

The nano-structured polymer dispersed liquid crystal (NPDLC) possesses several intriguing properties due to its nano-confined structure and unprecedented flexibility. However, the involved polymer networks necessitate a higher operating field which deteriorates the device's feasibility for real-device applications. Here, we demonstrate a simple technique to reduce the driving field by introducing a small amount of ionic salt into the NPDLC. The selective occupation of ionic salt during the phase separation reduces the interfacial energy of LC molecules, dipping by 40 % (3.6 V/µm) of the driving electric field. The electrohydrodynamic instability created by localized ion transportation led to reduced LC anchoring strength at the polymer interface at which the operating field was reduced. Our design is versatile and a potential alternative to the present NPDLC.

Nanofiltration membrane with surface nanostructure induced by interfacial modification for heavy metal ions removal, salt selection and antibacterial

Positively charged nanofiltration membranes offer promising options for the removal of heavy metal ions. However, their electrical properties often lead to serious drawbacks such as impaired filtration performance and poor fouling resistance, thus further modification of these positively charged membranes are imperative. Herein, we report the interfacial manipulation of nanofiltration membranes using a hydroxyl monomer (β-cyclodextrin) in concert with the typical positively charged ammonia monomer (polyethyleneimine) to achieve efficient removal of heavy metals, improved perm-selectivity and fouling resistance. The results indicated that water flux of the modified membrane was increased by over 2-folds owing to structural modification compared with pristine membrane. The charge effects and enhanced cross-linking improve the rejection of salts ions, especially divalent ions. The topological and Turing-structured membranes reached 99.9% removal of heavy metal ions due to the combination of adsorption, complexation, Donnan and site resistance effects, and has excellent stability. Additionally, the functionalized membranes exhibited reduced adhesion and survival of bacteria on the surface based on the excellent bacteriostatic and hydrophilicity properties. These findings revealed the mechanism of interfacial modification induction on the nanostructure and properties of membranes and provided an efficient solution for the synthesis of multifunctional membranes.

Full tea waste-based photothermal aerogel with vertical water transport channels for steady solar desalination

Interfacial solar desalination technology holds immense promise in combatting global freshwater scarcity. However, salt accumulation on solar evaporators poses a significant hurdle in sustaining desalination performance. Therefore, the development of salt-resistance solar evaporators remains a formidable challenge. Herein, we have exploited a full tea waste-based photothermal aerogel (TWPA) to achieve steady desalination performance. This TWPA is fabricated with carbonized tea waste (TWC) and tea waste fiber (TWF) with a simple crosslinking method and liquid nitrogen freeze-drying. The TWPA efficiently absorbs 97% of sunlight, which results in an exceptional evaporation rate of 1.63 kg m–2 h–1 under 1-solar intensity. Moreover, the vertical water transport channels and large pore structure within TWPA expedite solution transport and salt ion backflow diffusion, ensuring stable desalination of 10 wt% brine at a rate of 1.37 kg m–2 h–1. Long-term indoor and outdoor experiments demonstrate that TWPA is durable. Notably, a 1 m2 TWPA can generate about 6.34 kg freshwater per day from 10 wt% brine. This simple waste-to-treasure approach not only demonstrates a sustainable solution but also promises to drive the development of waste-based solar evaporators, addressing freshwater scarcity while mitigating environmental pollution.

Exogenous Sodium and Calcium Alleviate Drought Stress by Promoting the Succulence of Suaeda salsa.

Succulence is a key trait involved in the response of Suaeda salsa to salt stress. However, few studies have investigated the effects of the interaction between salt and drought stress on S. salsa growth and succulence. In this study, the morphology and physiology of S. salsa were examined under different salt ions (Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and SO42-) and simulated drought conditions using different polyethylene glycol concentrations (PEG; 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%). The results demonstrate that Na+ and Ca2+ significantly increased leaf succulence by increasing leaf water content and enlarging epidermal cell size compared to Mg2+, Cl-, and SO42-. Under drought (PEG) stress, with an increase in drought stress, the biomass, degree of leaf succulence, and water content of S. salsa decreased significantly in the non-salt treatment. However, with salt treatment, the results indicated that Na+ and Ca2+ could reduce water stress due to drought by stimulating the succulence of S. salsa. In addition, Na+ and Ca2+ promoted the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), which could reduce oxidative stress. In conclusion, Na+ and Ca2+ are the main factors promoting succulence and can effectively alleviate drought stress in S. salsa.

Brackish groundwater desalination by constant current membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI): Results of a long-term field trial in Central Australia

A long-term field trial of membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) was conducted in a remote community in the Northern Territory of Australia, with the aim of producing safe palatable drinking water from groundwater that contains high concentrations of salt and hardness ions and other contaminants. This trial lasted for 1.5 years, which, to our knowledge, is one of the longest reported studies of pilot-scale MCDI field trials. The 8-module MCDI pilot unit reduced salt concentration to below the Australian Drinking Water Guideline value of 600 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration with a relatively high water recovery of 71.6 ± 8.7 %. During continuous constant current operation and electrode discharging at near zero volts, a rapid performance deterioration occurred that was primarily attributed to insufficient desorption of multivalent ions from the porous carbon electrodes. Performance could be temporarily recovered using chemical cleaning and modified operating procedures however these approaches could not fundamentally resolve the issue of insufficient electrode performance regeneration. Constant current discharging of the electrodes to a negative cell cut-off voltage was hence employed to enhance the stability and overall performance of the MCDI unit during the continuous operation. An increase in selectivity of monovalent ions over divalent ions was also attained by implementing negative voltage discharging. The energy consumption of an MCDI system with a capacity of 1000 m3/day was projected to be 0.40∼0.53 kWh/m3, which is comparable to the energy consumption of electrodialysis reversal (EDR) and brackish water reverse osmosis (BWRO) systems of the same capacity. The relatively low maintenance requirements of the MCDI system rendered it the most cost-efficient water treatment technology for deployment in remote locations. The LCOW of an MCDI system with a capacity of 1000 m3/day was projected to be AU$1.059/m3 and AU$1.146/m3 under two operational modes, respectively. Further investigation of particular water-energy trade-offs amongst MCDI performance metrics is required to facilitate broader application of this promising water treatment technology.

Low Viscosity Ionic Liquids as Novel Dopants in Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Polymer Electrolyte: Detailed Photoelectrochemical Studies

Background: A propitious electrolyte for supercapacitors, solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) has been used because of their flexibility and highly conducting good electrode-electrolyte interface. Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based SPEs have acknowledged extensive interest due to their integrity in synthesis, good mechanical stability, low binding energy, low mass density with ionic salts, and magnificent charge carrier mobility. Interesting ionic liquids show their novelty towards conductivity enhancement and suppressing crystallinity i.e. acts as a plasticizer as well as an ionic source. Due to these advantageous properties, ionic liquids (ILs) seem to be a good player in developing highly efficient electrochemical devices. Method: To overcome the low ionic conductivity (σ) and poor mechanical stability. ILs assume to be novel candidates. This review is toward defining the role of ILs as plasticizers, not as a solvent. Result: Due to the widespread applicability of these ILs, we focus our review on taking a common example of polyether i.e. PMMA using the solution cast method. Electrical and electrochemical are also discussed in detail. Conclusion: On the the basis of electrical and photoelectrochemical performance reported in this article, we can assure the scientific community that ILs can act as a potential candidate like a plasticizer for highly efficient electrochemical devices.

Soil Salinity Estimation by 3D Spectral Space Optimization and Deep Soil Investigation in the Songnen Plain, Northeast China

Saline–alkaline soil is a severe threat to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but it can also be a precious land resource if properly utilized according to its properties. This research takes the Songnen Plain as the study area. The aim is to figure out the saline–alkaline status and mechanisms for its scientific utilization. Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery is used, and a 3D spectral space optimization method is proposed according to the restrictive relationships among the surface soil salinity index (SSSI), vegetation index (VI), and surface soil wetness index (SSWI) to construct a surface soil salinization–alkalization index (SSSAI) for estimation of the surface soil salinity (SSS). It is testified that SSS can be precisely estimated using the SSSAI (R2 = 0.74) with field verification of 50 surface salinized soil samples. Surface water and groundwater investigations, as well as deep soil exploration, indicate that the salt ions come from groundwater, and alkalinization is a primary problem in the deep soils. Fine-textured clay soils act as interrupted aquifers to prevent salt ions from penetrating and diluting downward with water, which is the cause of the salinization–alkalization problem in the study area. Finally, a sustainable solution for the saline–alkaline land resource is proposed according to the deep soil properties.

Study on the preparation of recycled boards instead of wood boards from waste cellulose

AbstractThe research on a novel preparation method for functional scaffolds from natural cellulose has attracted widespread attention in science and engineering. In order to obtain cellulose board which is similar to wood board in structure and mechanical properties, ice template, phase inversion under low temperature, and hot pressing were employed to fabricate board from natural cellulose. During preparation, ice template was used to control cellulose molecules arrange forming excellent orientation in the scaffold. Then, prepared scaffold was immersed in ethanol under −20 °C to remove salt ions used in cellulose resolve process, and keep the direction arrange of molecules in scaffold. Finally, prepared scaffold was treated by hot pressing for pushing off air in pores to form density board. Scanning electron microscopy image showed that prepared scaffold has directional cellulose arrange structure which was similar to that of wood. After hot pressing, the density of scaffold is increased. The mechanical properties of cellulose boards are enhanced with the increase of cellulose concentration, and the tensile strength can reach about 45 MPa, which has great potential in replacing natural wood boards. Our study provides new tactics for the use of natural cellulose in our life.

The OsDIR55 gene increases salt tolerance by altering the root diffusion barrier.

The increased soil salinity is becoming a major challenge to produce more crops and feed the growing population of the world. In this study, we demonstrated that overexpression of OsDIR55 gene enhances rice salt tolerance by altering the root diffusion barrier. OsDIR55 is broadly expressed in all examined tissues and organs with the maximum expression levels at lignified regions in rice roots. Salt stress upregulates the expression of OsDIR55 gene in an abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent manner. Loss-function and overexpression of OsDIR55 compromised and improved the development of CS and root diffusion barrier, manifested with the decreased and increased width of CS, respectively, and ultimately affected the permeability of the apoplastic diffusion barrier in roots. OsDIR55 deficiency resulted in Na+ accumulation, ionic imbalance, and growth arrest, whereas overexpression of OsDIR55 enhances salinity tolerance and provides an overall benefit to plant growth and yield potential. Collectively, we propose that OsDIR55 is crucial for ions balance control and salt stress tolerance through regulating lignification-mediated root barrier modifications in rice.

Effective degradation of norfloxacin by 3D diatomite plate@polydopamine@WC co-catalytic Fenton at near-neutral pH

To further rush the reduction of Fe3+ and realize the simple application of cocatalyst, 3D diatomite plate@polydopamine@WC (DPW) cocatalysts were prepared using a simple two-step impregnation method to construct a DPW/Fenton system for degrading norfloxacin (NOR) at near-neutral pH (5.5). Characterization results from Scanning electron microscope (SEM), automatic mercury porosimeter, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyzer, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that 3D DPW possessed a macroporous structure with W0 and W4+ distributed on its surface and within its pores. Under suitable conditions, the DPW/Fenton could degrade 94.98 % of NOR with a reaction rate constant of 0.2087 min−1, being 2.08 and 1.09 times that of MoS2/Fenton and WS2/Fenton, respectively. The Fe2+ content in DPW/Fenton was 1.13 and 1.05 times that of MoS2/Fenton and WS2/Fenton at 15 min. The exposed W0/W4+ sites on DPW enhanced the Fe3+/Fe2+ cycle and increased the H2O2 decomposition rate to 39.82 %. EPR measurements and probe experiments indicated that NOR degradation occurred mainly through·OH-dominated radical pathway. Notably, DPW/Fenton had strong resistance to inorganic salt ions and humic acid, maintaining high degradation rates (68 %, 75 %, and 78 %) for high-ionization-potential contaminants (IP ≥ 9.1 eV) like benzoic acid, terephthalic acid and p-nitrophenol. Impressively, the activity of DPW could be regenerated by the impregnation procedure. Even after 24 reuses, the degradation efficiency of NOR was still above 80 %, and the dissolved concentration of W was below 0.022 mg/L. Interestingly, after being stored for 5 months, the catalytic activity of DPW remained basically unchanged. This work provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the large-scale preparation and convenient application of DPW, as well as the degradation of toxic organic contaminants.

Effect and mechanism of freezing on the quality and structure of soymilk gel induced by different salt ions.

The increasing attention toward frozen soy-based foods has sparked interest. Variations exist in the quality and structure of soymilk gels induced by different salt ions, leading to diverse changes post-freezing. This study compared and analyzed the effects of calcium chloride (CC), magnesium chloride (MC) and calcium sulfate (CS) on the quality characteristics and protein structure changes of soymilk gels (CC-S, MC-S and CS-S) before and after freezing, and clarified the mechanisms of freezing on soymilk gel. The formation rate of soymilk gel is influenced by the type of salt ions. In comparison to CS and MC, soymilk gel induced by CC exhibited the fastest formation rate, highest gel hardness, lowest moisture content, and smaller gel pores. However, freezing treatment deteriorated the quality of soymilk gel induced by different salt ions, leading to a decline in textural properties (hardness and chewiness). Among these, the textual state of CC-induced soymilk gel remained optimal, exhibiting the least apparent damage and minimal cooking loss. Freezing treatments prompt a transition of soymilk gel secondary structure from β-turns to β-sheets, disrupting the protein's tertiary structure. Furthermore, freezing treatments also fostered the crosslinking between soymilk gel protein, increasing the content of disulfide bonds. The quality of frozen soymilk gel is influenced by the rate of gel formation induced by salt ions. After freezing, soymilk gel with faster gelation rates exhibited a greater tendency for the transformation of protein-water interactions into protein-protein interactions. They showed a higher degree of disulfide bond formation, resulting in a more tightly knit and firm frozen gel network structure with denser and more uniformly distributed pores. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Ion-engineered solar desalination: Enhancing salt resistance and activated water yield

Solar desalination, which relies on localized heating for interfacial water evaporation, is regarded as a promising and sustainable approach for freshwater production. Significant progress has been achieved in developing high-performance solar-driven interfacial vapor generators (SIVGs), however, their performance in high-concentration brine remains unsatisfactory. Herein, a novel SIVG is proposed as a candidate with advanced ionization engineering design for solar desalination, which exhibits enhanced desalination performance. The design of ionization engineering can promote salt-blocking effects through electrostatic attraction between salt ions in seawater and polymer chains of hydrogel-based evaporator, and high-continuity porous structures, which also contributes to a high evaporation performance by increasing the production of activated water molecules. Furthermore, the introduction of CuO nanoparticles with excellent localized surface plasmon resonance effect enables the light-absorbing copper-based hydrogel (LACH) to achieve an impressive sunlight absorptance rate of 95 %. The evaporation rate and energy efficiency of LACH reach a remarkable 3.93 kg·m−2·h−1 and 93.5 % in simulated brine (3.5 wt% NaCl solution) under one-sun illumination. The salt-resistant LACH-related SIVG is one of ideal candidates for sustainable freshwater harvesting over extended periods. This study is expected to offer valuable insights for advancing the research and development of next-generation solar desalination devices.