Open Access

ARTICLE

Constructing TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hydrogel for Synergistic Solar Evaporation and Photocatalytic Organic Pollutant

by Junxiao Qiu^1,2, Sanmei Liu^3,4,*

1 Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University/Nanchang Jiaotong Institute, Nanchang, 330013, China
2 School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China
3 School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China
4 Centre for Analysis and Testing, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China

* Corresponding Author: Sanmei Liu. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Multifunctional Conductive Hydrogels and Their Applications)

Journal of Polymer Materials 2024, 41(4), 315-327. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpm.2024.057951

Received 31 August 2024; Accepted 28 October 2024; Issue published 16 December 2024

Abstract

Integration of solar-driven interfacial evaporation and photocatalysis is one of the most promising technologies for generating fresh water and removing pollutants. In this work, TiO₂/g-C₃N₄ photocatalysis is loaded on a hydrogel containing single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Due to the excellent water evaporation channel of hydrogel and the excellent photothermal conversion performance of SWCNT, as well as the good visible light absorption ability of TiO₂/g-C₃N₄, TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/SWCNT hydrogel exhibits good hydrothermal evaporation and photocatalytic activity. The optimum water evaporation rate of 1.43 kg m⁻² h⁻¹. In particular, the optimized TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/SWCNT hydrogel can also remove more than 90% methylene blue (MB) within 120 min. Moreover, the TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/SWCNT hydrogel shows good photocatalytic stability after five cycles. Furthermore, the radical trapping experiment is also performed. The photogenerated ·O₂⁻ and ·OH⁻ plays a critical role in MB degradation. This work will provide guidance for the rational design of multifunctional photothermal materials. TiO₂/g-C₃N₄/SWCNT hydrogel presents a promising methodology to boost practical applications for seawater desalination and sewage purification.

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Supplementary Material

Supplementary Material File

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