Dual-functional intercalated Ti3C2Tx optothermic materials for water desalination and runway ice removal

Abstract

Photothermal materials have gained attention for their ability to efficiently convert solar energy into heat for a wide range of applications. Solar-driven water evaporation provides a promising solution for water desalination, yet challenges like salt accumulation and long-term stability hinder its broader use. Simultaneously, the accumulation of water and ice on airport runways leads to significant safety risks and costly de-icing processes. Herein, a novel composite material combining cobalt and carbon black intercalated Ti₃C₂T_x (MCC) with a superhydrophilic PVDF disc is introduced for continuous water supply. The disc demonstrates a high evaporation rate of 2.00 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ with an evaporation efficiency of 125.30%, making it highly efficient for seawater desalination. For the first time, self-drying photothermal runways is explored using photothermal materials to provide an efficient and sustainable solution for safe airport operations. MCC30 was evaluated by an ice-melting experiment on a prepared photothermal runway model (PTRM-30), where it rapidly melted snow and ice, drying the surface within 30 min utilizing solar energy. In contrast, conventional runway models showed significantly slower ice melting. This study highlights the potential of intercalated MXene-based photothermal materials in addressing both water scarcity and runway safety under rain and snowfall conditions.