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Polypyrrole-doped cellulose hydrogel evaporator for steam generation and wastewater cleaning

  • Original Paper: Nano- and macroporous materials (aerogels, xerogels, cryogels, etc.)
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Abstract

Solar-driven steam generation is considered an energy-saving and environmentally friendly thermal distillation method to solve freshwater shortage through desalination and wastewater treatment. Herein, PPy-doped cellulose composite hydrogels (PCGs) are prepared for clean water production. By varying the matrix solid content, the pore structure and water transport ability of the hydrogel material can be tailored, and the water evaporation enthalpy can be reduced by creating weak hydrogen bonds. By balancing hydrophobic sites in the hydrogel, porosity induced water transport and reduced evaporation enthalpy, a water evaporation rate of 1.88 kg m−2 h−1 under one sun is obtained. Furthermore, the specific surface area and hydrophilic groups of the three-dimensional hydrogel provide adsorption sites, and the removal of methyl blue (MB) organic dye is as high as 99%. The combination of water evaporation and cleaning capabilities provide a framework for the exploration of the next generation of evaporators for wastewater treatment applications.

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Highlights

  • Cellulose composite hydrogel with in-situ polymerized polypyrrole are fabricated.

  • The water transport and evaporation enthalpy are balanced for water evaporation.

  • The hydrogels are unaffected by salt concentrations up to 20%.

  • The hydrogels are suitable for dye waste water cleaning.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2016YFB 0303000) and the New Materials Research Key Program of Tianjin (No. 16ZXCLGX00090).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Separation Membranes and Membrane Processes, Tianjin Municipal Key Lab of Advanced Energy Storage Material and Devices, School of Material Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China

    Ruizhi Wang, Wenxin Wang, Xianfeng Li, Honsen Qiu, Renyu Jin & Ning Wang

  2. Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark

    Martin Jensen

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  1. Ruizhi Wang
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  2. Wenxin Wang
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  3. Martin Jensen
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  7. Ning Wang
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Correspondence to Ning Wang.

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Wang, R., Wang, W., Jensen, M. et al. Polypyrrole-doped cellulose hydrogel evaporator for steam generation and wastewater cleaning. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 107, 363–374 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06128-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06128-4

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