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Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination
Published on: March 1, 2020
Synergistic Energy Nanoconfinement and Water Activation in Hydrogels for Efficient Solar Water Desalination
Youhong Guo1, Xingyi Zhou1, Fei Zhao1
1Materials Science and Engineering Program and Department of Mechanical Engineering , The University of Texas at Austin , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States.
Abstract:
Precisely controlled distribution of energy in solar-to-thermal energy conversion systems could allow for enhanced energy utilization. Light-absorbing hydrogels provide a means for evaporating water by using solar energy, yet targeted delivery of solar thermal energy to power the water evaporation process remains challenging. Here, we report a light-absorbing sponge-like hydrogel (LASH) that is created by in situ gelation of a light-absorbing nanoparticle-modified polymer, leading to synergistic energy nanoconfinement and water activation. By experimental demonstration and theoretical simulation, the LASH presents record high vapor generation rates up to ∼3.6 kg m-2 h-1 and stable long-term performance under 1 sun (1 kW m-2) irradiation. We investigate the energy confinement at the polymer-nanoparticle interphases and the water activation enabled by polymer-water interaction to reveal the significance of such effects for high-rate solar vapor generation. The water vaporization enabled by LASHs can remove over 99.9% of salt ions in seawater through solar water desalination. The fundamental design principle, scalable fabrication route, and superior performance offer possibilities for portable solar water purification, industrial solar-powered water treatment, and other advanced solar thermal applications.
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