A flexible hierarchical MoS2 nanosheet coated glass fabric via direct hydrothermal deposition for efficient solar-driven steam generation

Abstract

Solar energy-driven seawater desalination is a low-cost energy-based method to address the problem of global water shortage. Herein, a high efficiency solar-driven steam generation device is designed by in situ hydrothermal deposition of MoS₂ nanosheets on glass fabric (GF). MoS₂ nanosheets are homogeneously distributed on flexible fabric and the thickness is about 0.9–1 μm, constructing a hierarchical porous microstructure. This leads to efficient evaporation performance, attributed to the strong light absorption ability in the full solar spectrum range of MoS₂, multiple reflections inside the pores and water transportation channels of gaps between glass fibers. The net evaporated water mass loss attains 1.31 kg m⁻² after 1 h irradiation under one sun with an efficiency of 90.4% which is much higher than that achieved using a blank membrane (27.3%). The potential application of as-fabricated devices for seawater desalination is demonstrated by purifying water from the Yellow Sea, China, and the quality of desalted water meets the standard of the World Health Organization's drinking water requirement. The membrane exhibited an almost complete removal of rhodamine B and tetracycline, endowing the membrane with excellent photocatalytic self-cleaning ability. The flexible and tailorable film with functional design provides a practical and efficient strategy to enhance solar-driven water evaporation performance.