High-performance solar vapor generation of Ni/carbon nanomaterials by controlled carbonization of waste polypropylene
writer：2. Changyuan Song, Liang Hao, Boyi Zhang, Zhiyue Dong, Qingquan Tang, Jiakang Min, Qiang Zhao, Ran N
keywords：carbonization, waste polymer, solar vapor generation
source：期刊
specific source：Science China Materials
Issue time：2020年
Solar vapor generation is emerging as a promisingtechnologyusingsolar energy forvariousapplications including desalination and freshwater production. However, from the viewpoints of industrial and academic research, it remains challenging to prepare low-cost and high-efficiency photothermalmaterials.Inthiswork,wereportthecontrolled carbonizationofpolypropylene(PP)usingNiOandpoly(ionic liquid) (PIL) as combined catalysts to prepare a Ni/carbon nanomaterial (Ni/CNM). The morphology and textural propertyofNi/CNMaremodulatedbyaddingatraceamount of PIL. Ni/CNM consists of cup-stacked carbon nanotubes (CS-CNTs)andpear-shapedmetallicNinanoparticles.Dueto the synergistic effect of Ni and CS-CNTs in solar absorption, Ni/CNM possesses an excellent property of photothermal conversion. Meanwhile, Ni/CNM with a high specific surface area and rich micro-/meso-/macropores constructs a threedimensional (3D) porous network for efficient water supply and vapor channels. Thanks to high solar absorption, fast water transport, and low thermal conductivity, Ni/CNM exhibits a high water evaporation rate of 1.67kgm?2 h?1, a solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency of 94.9%, and an excellent stabilityfor10cycles.Italsoworkswellwhenconvertingdyecontaining water, seawater, and oil/water emulsion into healthydrinkablewater.Themetallicionremovalefficiencyof seawater is 99.99%, and the dye removal efficiency is >99.9%. More importantly, it prevails over the-state-of-art carbonbased photothermal materials in solar energy-driven vapor generation. This work not only proposes a new sustainable
approach to convert waste polymers into advanced metal/ carbon hybrids, but also contributes to the fields of solar energy utilization and seawater desalination