Hierarchical Ti₃C₂/BiVO₄ microcapsules for enhanced solar-driven water evaporation and photocatalytic H₂ evolution

Desalination processes frequently require a lot of energy to generate freshwater and energy, which depletes resources. Their reliance on each other creates tension between these two vital resources. Herein, hierarchical MXene nanosheets and bismuth vanadate (Ti₃C₂/BiVO₄)-derived microcapsules were synthesized for a photothermal-induced photoredox reaction for twofold applications, namely, solar-driven water evaporation and hydrogen (H₂) production. For this purpose, flexible aerogels were fabricated by introducing Ti₃C₂/BiVO₄ microcapsules in the polymeric network of natural rubber latex (NRL-Ti₃C₂/BiVO₄), and a high evaporation rate of 2.01 kg m^-2 h^-1 was achieved under 1-kW m^-2 solar intensity. The excellent performance is attributed to the presence of Ti₃C₂/BiVO₄ microcapsules in the polymeric network, which provides balanced hydrophilicity and broadband sun absorption (96 %) and is aimed at plasmonic heating with microscale thermal confinement tailored by heat transfer simulations. Notably, localized plasmonic heating at the catalyst active sites of the Ti₃C₂/BiVO₄ heterostructure promotes enhanced photocatalytic H₂ production evolved after 4 h of reaction is 9.39 μmol, which is highly efficient than pure BiVO₄ and Ti₃C₂. This method turns the issue of water-fuel crisis into a collaborative connection, presenting avenues to collectively address the anticipated demand rather than fostering competition.