Boosted light absorption by WO3-x/Ag/PbS heterostructure for high-efficiency interfacial solar steam generation

Beibei Wang; Tongxian Wang; Shenghua Ma; Jinbo Bai; Haixia Ma

doi:10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.065

Boosted light absorption by WO_3-x/Ag/PbS heterostructure for high-efficiency interfacial solar steam generation

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2024 Apr 15:660:192-202. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.065. Epub 2024 Jan 13.

Authors

Beibei Wang¹, Tongxian Wang², Shenghua Ma², Jinbo Bai², Haixia Ma³

Affiliations

¹ Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, International Collaborative Center on Photoelectric Technology and Nano Functional Materials, Institute of Photonics & Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, PR China.
² State Key Laboratory of Photon-Technology in Western China Energy, International Collaborative Center on Photoelectric Technology and Nano Functional Materials, Institute of Photonics & Photon-Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, PR China.
³ Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Energy Materials, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, PR China. Electronic address: mahx@nwu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38241867
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.065

Abstract

Interfacial solar steam generation is considered a promising approach to address energy and drinking water shortages. However, designing efficient light-absorbing and photothermal-converting materials remains challenging. In this study, we describe a detailed method for synthesising a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical oxygen defect-rich WO₃/Ag/PbS/Ni foam (termed WO_3-x/Ag/PbS/NF) composite to realise efficient exciton separation and enhanced photothermal conversion. The 3D heterogeneous ternary photothermal material combines the individual benefits of WO_3-x, Ag and PbS, improving charge transfer and promoting photogenerated electron-hole pairs. This enhances light absorption and energy conversion. Theoretical calculations indicate that the increased photothermal conversion efficiency primarily results from the heterojunction between Ag, WO_3-x and PbS, facilitating exciton separation and electron transfer. Consequently, the WO_3-x/Ag/PbS/NF solar evaporator exhibits exceptional light absorption (98% within the sunlight spectrum), a high evaporation rate of 1.90 kg m^-2h^-1 under 1 sun and a light-to-heat conversion efficiency of 94%. The WO_3-x/Ag/PbS/NF evaporator also exhibits excellent capabilities in seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. This approach introduces a synergistic concept for creating novel multifunctional light-absorbing materials suitable for various energy-related applications.

Keywords: Narrow bandgap; Photothermal conversion; Seawater desalination; Theoretical calculations; WO(3-x)/Ag/PbS ternary composite.