Unique biomimetic self-floating 3D Janus ‘integrated system’ for efficient interfacial solar steam generation and wastewater treatment

Solar-driven interfacial steam generation (SISG) has emerged as a promising candidate for addressing water scarcity issues, functioning as a clean water production process with zero carbon emissions. However, there is a lack of an ‘integrated system’ that simultaneously meets requirements for self-floating, salt resistance, and anti-biofouling during evaporation, while also removing pollutants (such as waste oil and heavy metal ions) from the water source environment. This research describes the sequential polymerization of aniline and dopamine-carbon black on the surface of polyurethane sponge, ensuring rapid water supply and strong photothermal conversion capability. The rich functional groups on its surface provide strong adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions. By further micro-modifying its surface with polydimethylsiloxane and carbon black, a unique 3D Janus structure was designed for the SISG, ensuring effective thermal insulation, salt resistance, and high buoyancy. Consequently, this evaporator achieves a maximum evaporation rate of 2.32 kg·m −2 ·h −1 , and its excellent hydrophobic properties confer high efficiency for oil–water separation (>95.5 %) and anti-biofouling (chlorella) capability. This ‘integrated system’ offers a unique strategy for addressing the accumulation of pollutants in solar evaporation processes.