Hao Ren, Yuhao Xiao, Chang Yang, Qingquan Tang*, Zhiyue Dong*, Hua Wang, Luoxin Wang, Xin Cui, Jiang Gong*

Bioinspired “spindle knot effect” integrated into mixed matrix nanofibrous membranes for highly efficient solar-to-vapor conversion

ACS Materials Letters (2024) Accept (IF2024 = 9.6)

The microstructure of photothermal interface materials for solar steam generation is crucial to simultaneously optimize water transfer path and solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency, however, which remains a formidable challenge. Herein, bioinspired by the Spindle Knot structure of spider silk, spindle-knotted nanofibrous mixed matrix membranes are facilely prepared, which exhibit highly efficient solar-to-vapor conversion due to the “Spindle Knot Effect” that results from the localized solar-to-thermal conversion at the spindle knots and water''s directional movement on the spindle knots'' surface. The as-prepared membrane achieves an evaporation rate of 2.41 kg m^-2 h^-1 with a conversion efficiency of 95.9% under 1 Sun and a maximum water production of 4.81 kg m^-2 one day. Besides, it can output a high electric power of 0.89 W m^-2 to power small devices due to the Seebeck effect, and exhibit strong ice removal performance. This work reports the bioinspired strategy for constructing multi-functional photothermal interface materials.