Scalable Mixed‐Dimensional Nanogenerator for the Sunlight‐Driven Water–Energy Nexus

The realization of net-zero emissions requires high-efficiency, solar-driven, and sustainable technologies that can co-generate clean water and renewable energy. We report a scalable plasma-engineered solar thermal matrix (STM) integrating graphene quantum dots (GQDs), MXene nanosheets, and a chitosan-based framework. Microplasma-assisted synthesis enables hierarchical porous architectures with angstrom-scale nanochannels, which synergistically enhance photothermal conversion, water transport, and ion mobility. The optimized STM exhibits a high photothermal efficiency of 95.7% and a solar steam generation rate of 4.2 kg m<sup>-2</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> under one sun. Its negatively charged nanochannels generate streaming potentials up to 200 mV in seawater, while embedded GQDs serve as photoluminescent probes for real-time monitoring. Outdoor trials demonstrate daily desalination of ∼30 kg m<sup>-2</sup> and stable electrical output of ∼127 mV over 9 h of solar exposure. These results establish a versatile and durable platform for decentralized water purification and energy harvesting, providing critical insights into the design of multifunctional, mixed-dimensional nanomaterials for integrated solar-driven systems.

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Publication Details

Journal
Small
Published
2025-09-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202505941
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.36
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article

Scalable Mixed‐Dimensional Nanogenerator for the Sunlight‐Driven Water–Energy Nexus

Wei‐Hung Chiang, Shao‐Yu Chen, Yi‐Jui Yeh, Wei Lin
1 citations
Small
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
0.36
article

Scalable Mixed‐Dimensional Nanogenerator for the Sunlight‐Driven Water–Energy Nexus

Wei‐Hung Chiang, Shao‐Yu Chen, Yi‐Jui Yeh, Wei Lin
article en
1 citations

Abstract

The realization of net-zero emissions requires high-efficiency, solar-driven, and sustainable technologies that can co-generate clean water and renewable energy. We report a scalable plasma-engineered solar thermal matrix (STM) integrating graphene quantum dots (GQDs), MXene nanosheets, and a chitosan-based framework. Microplasma-assisted synthesis enables hierarchical porous architectures with angstrom-scale nanochannels, which synergistically enhance photothermal conversion, water transport, and ion mobility. The optimized STM exhibits a high photothermal efficiency of 95.7% and a solar steam generation rate of 4.2 kg m<sup>-2</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> under one sun. Its negatively charged nanochannels generate streaming potentials up to 200 mV in seawater, while embedded GQDs serve as photoluminescent probes for real-time monitoring. Outdoor trials demonstrate daily desalination of ∼30 kg m<sup>-2</sup> and stable electrical output of ∼127 mV over 9 h of solar exposure. These results establish a versatile and durable platform for decentralized water purification and energy harvesting, providing critical insights into the design of multifunctional, mixed-dimensional nanomaterials for integrated solar-driven systems.

SmallVol. 21(45)
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (TW), National Taiwan University (TW)
Openalex Percentile: Top 38%
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
0.36
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