Monstera adansonii-inspired lignocellulose-derived bionic solar evaporator for solar steam generation

A novel three-dimensional solar evaporator (PPy@CC) inspired by monstera adansonii was developed by the carbonization and polypyrrole decoration of waste lignocellulose (corncob). The original microscopic porous structure was retained by the carbonization of corncob, and the bionic monstera adansonii leaves were formed by loading polypyrrole on its evaporation interface, which enhanced the absorption capacity of sunlight and provided sufficient diffusion channels for water through the porous interconnect structure. The results showed that the PPy@CC has the average evaporation rates of 2.417 kg m^-2 h^-1 and 2.048 kg m^-2 h^-1 respectively in pure water and 3.5 wt% seawater, and has better salt resistance and stability. In addition, the PPy@CC evaporator can also be used to efficiently generate water steam in alkaline and acidic wastewater, the pH values of the desalinated water obtained in both scenarios were neutral, showing excellent wastewater treatment effect. Outdoor experiments further confirmed its potential for practical applications, an average evaporation rate of 2.822 kg m^-2 h^-1 in 3.5 wt% seawater can be obtained, and stable performance over long periods of operation with no salt crystallization observed. Therefore, PPy@CC was a solar evaporator with practical application potential, which was suitable for seawater desalination and industrial wastewater treatment.