Facile polypyrrole thin film coating on polypropylene membrane for efficient solar-driven interfacial water evaporation

Abstract

We report the fabrication of a polypyrrole-coated interfacial solar membrane using a versatile dip-coating method, which enables solar vapor generation efficiency of 72% for the purpose of desalination. This next-generation method of thermal desalination membrane uses solar thermal energy as a heat source to vaporize salt and brackish water. The polypyrrole thin film is tightly attached to individual non-conductive polypropylene fibers in a mesh. The dip-coating method can be applied to different types of membranes, regardless of the wetting property, conductivity, or surface curvature.