Microbubble-based elastic graphene aerogel for efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation has emerged as one of the most promising solutions to address the shortage of freshwater resources. Graphene aerogels (GAs) exhibit immense potential in solar-driven interfacial evaporation due to their excellent photothermal conversion efficiency. However, the complex fabrication and inherent fragility of conventional GAs limit their application in desalination. To address these challenges, this study incorporates natural latex (NL) into GA to prepare a novel elastic GA/NL. It uses a gas bubbles and ice crystals templating method followed by atmospheric-pressure drying. The prepared GA/NL achieves a compressive strength of 66.9 kPa at 90 % strain. Its three-dimensional interconnected porous network structure contributes to high porosity (∼ 97 %) and an average light absorbance of 93.3 %. Experimental determination exhibits an outstanding evaporation rate of about 2.68 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and a solar-vapor conversion efficiency of 94.54 % under 1 sun irradiation (1 kW m⁻²). Critically, GA/NL exhibits excellent stability of structure, salt resistance, and high desalination performance after ten evaporation cycles. These results indicate excellent mechanical properties for long-term desalination application, highlighting its exceptional potential as an efficient, durable interfacial solar steam generator.