Frontal Polymerization for Decomposable Lignin‐Loaded Polymer Materials towards Water Purification

Abstract

Rapid population growth and water contamination have led to a shortage of freshwater, making it crucial to find sustainable methods for water purification. Solar‐powered evaporation is an eco‐friendly approach that uses solar energy to facilitate water evaporation and separate it from contaminants. Recent studies have focused on the development of solar absorber systems that incorporate photo‐thermal materials into a porous structure to enhance the efficiency of solar‐to‐thermal conversion and elevate water evaporation capacities. However, there is a lack of studies on simple and quick fabrication methods for solar absorber materials that minimize storage constraints in real‐world applications. Frontal polymerization (FP) technology is a promising solution that offers straightforward operation, minimal energy consumption, and rapid reaction for porous polymers. In this study, a decomposable and photo‐thermal composite polymer(LI/(P(DCPD‐co‐DTD))) is synthesized using FMORP, incorporating lignin fillers to improve the light absorption capacity and photothermal performance beneficial for water purification. The water evaporation rate can reach as high as 1.63 kg m−2 h−1. This composite polymer is expected to promote solar‐driven water purification in practical applications.