Multifunction Hybrid Aerogel Capable of Reducing Silver Ions during Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation

Polydiaminonaphthalene (PDAN) is an advanced conjugated polymer with a range of photothermal, chelating, and reducing properties by the virtue of electron-donating groups in its molecular chain. In this study, in situ polymerized PDAN nanoparticles were innovatively introduced into the cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/polylactide (PLA)/PDAN hybrid aerogels formed by CNF-stabilized Pickering emulsion gel, and thus created a multifunction hybrid aerogel capable of reducing silver ions during solar-driven interfacial evaporation hybrid aerogel as a solar-driven interfacial evaporator and silver nanoparticle generator. The polymerization technology of PDAN was investigated in detail to study the effect of the morphology and structure of PDAN on its photothermal and reducing properties. The optimized hybrid aerogels integrate self-floatability, high light absorption, hydrophilicity, and cycling stability, and thus achieves a satisfactory evaporation rate (1.50 kg m(-2) h(-1)) under the irradiation of 1 sun (100 mw/cm(2)). This multifunction aerogel is not only capable of extracting fresh water from various raw waters but can also reduce silver ions (Ag+) in wastewater to silver nanoparticles during evaporation. More interestingly, the hybrid aerogel containing reduced silver nanoparticles exhibited an excellent antibacterial property. This multifunction green and sustainable aerogel is promising for applications in practical wastewater treatment, the reduction of silver ions, and antibacterial treatment.