Semiconductive, Flexible MnO2 NWs/Chitosan Hydrogels for Efficient Solar Steam Generation

Solar-driven steam generation is anticipated as one of the most promising and inventive technologies to address the primitive issues of water shortage. Although extensive attempts have been made to develop highly efficient solar steam generators, hindrances are faced to integrate all desired functions in a single evaporating system. Herein, we designed semiconductive in situ-polymerized MnO2 nanowires/chitosan (SPM-CH) hydrogels as flexible, built-in, vertically aligned, macropore-based water channels (∼0.5 μm pore size) for enhanced solar water generation (17.02 kg m–2 in 1 day). The nonradiative relaxation-dependent defect engineering of SPM-CH hydrogel promotes more lattice vibrations, and its polymeric network endorses the formation of enhanced intermediate water clusters for vapor generation. The self-floating and salt-resistant device possesses an excellent evaporation rate (1.78 kg m–2 h–1) during a single sunny day along with efficient solar energy conversion efficiency (90.6%) under 1 sun intensity, good solar absorption (94%), and good compressing flexibility (42% compressive strain). Moreover, COMSOL Multiphysics simulations of SPM-CH hydrogels under experimental conditions reveal its superior centralized heat accumulation within the top-interface matrix. The single-step execution for a freshwater supply purified from various contaminations including industrial wastewater and oil-emulsified water shows its potential as a reusable device toward real-life applications.