GO/Bi₂S₃ Doped PVDF/TPU Nanofiber Membrane with Enhanced Photothermal Performance

Photothermal conversion materials have attracted wide attention due to their efficient utilization of light energy. In this study, a (GO)/Bi₂S₃-PVDF/TPU composite nanofiber membrane was systematically developed, comprising GO/Bi₂S₃ nanoparticles (NPs) as a photothermal conversion component and PVDF/TPU composite nanofibers as the substrate. The GO/Bi₂S₃ NPs were synthesized in a one-step way and the PVDF/TPU nanofibers were obtained from a uniformly mixed co-solution by electrospinning. GO nanoparticles with excellent solar harvesting endow the GO/Bi₂S₃-PVDF/TPU membrane with favorable photothermal conversion. In addition, the introduction of Bi₂S₃ NPs further enhances the broadband absorption and photothermal conversion properties of the GO/Bi₂S₃-PVDF/TPU composite membrane due to its perfect broadband absorption performance and coordination with GO. Finally, the results show that the GO/Bi₂S₃-PVDF/TPU composite membrane has the highest light absorption rate (about 95%) in the wavelength range of 400-2500 nm. In the 300 s irradiation process, the temperature changes in the GO/Bi₂S₃-PVDF/TPU composite membrane were the most significant and rapid, and the equilibrium temperature of the same irradiation time was 81 °C. Due to the presence of TPU, the mechanical strength of the composite film was enhanced, which is beneficial for its operational performance. Besides this, the morphology, composition, and thermal property of the membranes were evaluated by corresponding test methods.