Flexible Janus Black Silicon Photothermal Conversion Membranes for Highly Efficient Solar-Driven Interfacial Water Purification

Photothermal conversion materials are critical in the development of solar-driven interfacial evaporation techniques; however, achieving a high energy conversion efficiency remains challenging owing to the high cost and instability of light-absorbing materials, in addition to the difficulties of simultaneously improving light absorption while suppressing heat loss. A black silicon (Si) powder with a porous structure was prepared by chemical etching of a low-cost commercial micron-sized Al–Si alloy, and a flexible Janus black Si photothermal conversion membrane was constructed. The partially broken spherical particles and porous structure obtained after etching enhanced the refraction of light from the Si powder, imparting the prepared membrane with an average light absorption rate of 95.95% over the solar spectrum. Evaporation from the membrane increased the intermediate water content and reduced the equivalent evaporation enthalpy. The thermal conduction loss was inhibited through a one-dimensional water transport structure, and the membrane achieved a water evaporation rate of 2.17 kg m–2 h–1 and a photothermal efficiency of 94.95% under 1 sun illumination. Benefiting from the broadband absorption and high photothermal efficiency of black Si powder, surface modification of hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane, and directional salt-out structure design, the evaporation rate of the Janus black Si membrane-based system in a 10% NaCl solution was maintained >2.10 kg m–2 h–1 after 7 days of continuous evaporation cycles. The removal rate of metal ions from simulated seawater and from practical wastewater containing complex heavy metals reached >99.9%, indicating the promising potential of black Si membrane for application in solar-driven interfacial water purification.