Janus aramid nanofiber aerogel incorporating plasmonic nanoparticles for high-efficiency interfacial solar steam generation

Abstract

Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) is a novel and potential solution to global freshwater crisis. Here, based on a facile sol-gel fabrication process, we demonstrate a highly scalable Janus aramid nanofiber aerogel (JANA) as a high-efficiency ISSG device. JANA performs near-perfect broadband optical absorption, rapid photothermal conversion and effective water transportation. Owning to these features, efficient desalination of salty water and purification of municipal sewage are successfully demonstrated using JANA. In addition, benefiting from the mechanical property and chemical stability of constituent aramid nanofibers, JANA not only possess outstanding flexibility and fire-resistance properties, but its solar steaming efficiency is also free from the influences of elastic deformations and fire treatments. We envision JANA provides a promising platform for mass-production of high-efficiency ISSG devices with supplementary capabilities of convenient transportation and long-term storage, which could further promote the realistic applications of ISSG technology.

Optimization of doping design for planar P-N homologous junction perovskite solar cells

“…At present, with the deepening of research and the continuous progress of technology, the cost of solar leveled electricity is constantly reduced, and solar energy and traditional energy have greater competitiveness ( Maksimovic et al, 2022 ; Xiao et al, 2023 ; Zheng Y. et al, 2024 ). Traditional silicon based solar cells are relatively mature, but there are many problems such as complex preparation and high cost ( Zhang H. et al, 2023 ). In recent years, perovskite light-absorbing materials have been broadly used in solar cells because of their excellent optical properties, high photoelectric conversion rate, high light absorption coefficient, low price and relatively simple preparation ( Kim et al, 2012 ; Shangguan et al, 2022a ; Shen et al, 2022 ; Liang S. et al, 2023 ; Seyed-Talebi et al, 2023 ).…”

Simulation and Analysis of a Near-Perfect Solar Absorber Based on SiO2-Ti Cascade Optical Cavity

“…With the large amounts of fossil fuels being consumed, research into diverse energy sources for the future has led to extensive research around the globe, with photovoltaic absorption technology developing extremely fast [1][2][3][4]. Eternal, clean solar energy could be a good substitute for traditional energy sources to solve the growing energy needs of mankind [5,6].…”

Multilayer stacked ultra-wideband perfect solar absorber and thermal emitter based on SiO2-InAs-TiN nanofilm structure

“…[1][2][3] This is due to the fact that solar energy is not only huge in total amount but also clean and non-polluting, which is regarded as an ideal energy solution. [4][5][6][7] Currently, solar energy is mostly used in many fields, such as solar thermal utilization 8 and photovoltaic conversion, 9,10 which can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and lead to a decarbonized and sustainable energy mix. 11 The continuous use of solar energy has led to many important advances in solar absorber research.…”