PVA/CNT/PPy Aerogels for Driving Water Evaporation Through both Photo‐Thermal and Electro‐Thermal Effects

Abstract Solar‐driven interfacial water evaporation technology is considered as a promising clean water production strategy addressing the issues of global water pollution and scarcity. In this study, highly efficient polyvinyl alcohol/carbon nanotube/polypyrrole (PVA/CNT/PPy) aerogel evaporator is fabricated by combining hydrophilic PVA aerogel with superior water absorption property and carbon‐based fillers with coupled photo‐thermal conversion effects. By regulating the pore structure of PVA aerogel, the capillary effect is enhanced, thereby optimizing the water transport rate. Based on the photo‐thermal effect, the evaporation rate of the evaporator under one standard solar irradiation (1 kW m −2 ) is 3.17 kg m −2 h −1 . Additionally, after the input of electrical energy, the heat converted from light absorbed by carbon‐based material can promote the Joule heating effect, and the synergistic effect further increases the evaporation rate of the aerogel to 5.59 kg m −2 h −1 when subjected to one solar irradiation combined with a 5 V input voltage. This electro‐thermal assistance enables efficient water evaporation even in low‐light and dark conditions. Furthermore, the PVA/CNT/PPy aerogel evaporator demonstrates significant potential in terms of desalination performance and long‐term stability.