Magneto-Optically-Propelled Superhydrophobic Sponge for Efficient Volatile Organic Compounds Adsorption and Evaporation and Water Surface Transport

As human activities intensify, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water pose growing threats to human health, ecosystems, and environmental stability. Conventional photothermal superhydrophobic sponges have shown promise in adsorbing and evaporating VOCs, but their effectiveness is limited by stationary adsorption and relatively low efficiency. Here, we introduce a photothermal-magnetic driven superhydrophobic sponge, synthesized with Fe3O4 and TiN nanoparticles, designed to significantly enhance both the mobility and adsorption capacity of VOCs. The Fe3O4 component endows the sponge with magnetic responsiveness, allowing it to move to areas with higher VOC concentration, while TiN nanoparticles have a plasmonic effect, providing superior photothermal conversion, achieving an impressive organic evaporation rate of 27.9 kg m–2 h–1. Remarkably, this sponge can support loads up to 10 times its weight under light-driven motion with a loading efficiency exceeding 900%. This multifunctional material presents a breakthrough approach to VOC pollution, offering unprecedented mobility, adsorption, and evaporation capabilities. Our work showcases a transformative strategy for VOC remediation, aligning with critical environmental and public health needs.