In-situ polymerization of PANI nanocone array on PEN nanofibrous membranes for solar-driven interfacial evaporation

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) holds great potential for the desalination of seawater but also remains challenges for application performance. Here reports polyaniline (PANI) modified polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) electrospun nanofibrous membranes (PANI@PEN) via in-situ polymerization and in sequence for the investigation of SDIE performance. Incorporating high-performance PEN aims to endow the resulting membranes with flexibility, durability, salt tolerance, and corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, above all, PEN with a high carboxyl group content promotes the in-situ polymerization of PANI on its surface, forming nanocone array. This phenomenon causes multiple diffuse reflections upon sunlight, making the corresponding nanofibrous membranes achieve the highest water evaporation rate at 1.822 kg m-2h−1. Additionally, a high evaporation rate and hydrophilic further ensure barely salt accumulation during continuous evaporation of a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, with an evaporation rate of 1.527 kg m-2h−1. However, when the nanofibrous membrane is arched, it unexpectedly exhibits the ability to collect salt via salt deposition. This research potentially provides a strategy for utilizing the synergistic effect between carboxyl, dopamine, and CTAB between polymer nanofibrous membranes and facile in-situ polymerization to generate advanced photothermal PANI. The fabricated PANI@PEN nanofibrous membranes further enhance the robustness, multifunctionality, and efficiency of the SDIE system for seawater desalination and industrial wastewater purification.