Copper Sulfide-Based Plasmonic Photothermal Membrane for High-Efficiency Solar Vapor Generation
Fujun Tao1,2, Yuliang Zhang1, Kuan Yin1
1College of Ocean Science and Engineering , Shanghai Maritime University , Shanghai 201306 , PR China.
Abstract:
Solar vapor generation has attracted tremendous attention as one of the most efficient ways of utilizing solar energy. It is highly desirable to develop low-cost, eco-friendly, and high-efficiency solar absorbers for practical applications of solar vapor generation. Herein, a three-dimensional plasmonic covellite CuS hierarchical nanostructure has been synthesized as the light-absorbing material via a facile one-pot hydrothermal method for structurally integrated solar absorbers with microporous poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane (PVDFM) as the supporting material. A broadband and highly efficient light absorption has been achieved in the wavelength of 300-2500 nm, along with high water evaporation efficiencies of 90.4 ± 1.1 and 93.3 ± 2.0% under 1 and 4 sun irradiation, respectively. Meanwhile, stable performance has been demonstrated for over 20 consecutive runs without much performance degradation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest performance among the copper sulfide-based solar absorbers. With the additional features of low-cost and convenient fabrication, this plasmonic solar absorber exhibits a tremendous potential for practical solar vapor generation.
Related Concept Videos
Vapor Pressure
Vaporization
Vapor Pressure Lowering
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
Preparation and Reactions of Sulfides
Structure and Nomenclature of Thiols and Sulfides


