MXene/B-doped g-C 3 N 4 for synergistic solar water purification: Coupling interfacial evaporation and photocatalysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Interfacial solar steam generators enable sustainable freshwater production via photothermal conversion, yet effective purification of both feed water and distillate remains challenging. Here, a mechanically interlocked MXene/boron-doped mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosphere (BMNS) hybrid membrane is engineered through vacuum-assisted self-assembly, synergistically coupling ultraefficient photothermal evaporation with robust photocatalytic degradation. The BMNS nanospheres embedded in loosely stacked MXene nanosheets establish rapid water transport nanochannels while achieving ultralow thermal conductivity (0.43 W·m-1·K-1). This structure enabled a high solar evaporation rate of 2.10 kg·m-2·h-1 and achieved a photothermal conversion efficiency of 98.1%. Simultaneously, the generated reactive oxygen species (•OH/ ) degraded 95.6% of the organic pollutants (10 ppm Rhodamine B) within 4 h. Furthermore, it maintained a stable evaporation rate of 2.00 kg·m-2·h-1 over a long-term operation of 200 h. Field validation using eutrophic lake water demonstrates concurrent clean water production and comprehensive purification: 90.0% total organic carbon removal, 92.0% chemical oxygen demand reduction, 93.1% microbial inactivation, improved optical clarity, and >99% antibacterial efficiency against E. coli and S. aureus. This work provides a scalable blueprint for multifunctional membranes addressing water scarcity and pollution simultaneously.
Source: Nano Research
Authors: Xushuai Chen, Panpan Zhang, Ruiqi Zhao, Chunjia Luo, Min Chao, Xi Chen, Luke Yan
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,290
OpenAlex ID: W7114786473