Sustainable Water\nManagement with Photocatalytic Janus\nMesh: Efficient Fog Harvesting, Water Purification, and Microbial\nDisinfection

Water scarcity is a critical global challenge, especially\nin arid\nand semiarid regions. Fog harvesting has emerged as a promising solution;\nhowever, concerns about air pollution and bacterial growth in humid\nenvironments have raised doubts about the safety and sustainability\nof such systems. This study introduces a Janus mesh with asymmetric\nwettability on its two faces, fabricated through a simple and scalable\nmethod. The unique design of the Janus mesh enables the transport\nof water droplets from the superhydrophobic side to the hydrophilic\nside in a unidirectional manner, enhancing its fog harvesting efficiency.\nThe mesh’s photocatalytic properties not only elevate the fog\nharvesting rate to 4.7 kg·m<sup>–2</sup>h<sup>–1</sup> but also effectively purify the harvested water by removing organic\ncontaminants (94%) and microbial impurities (99.98%). Additionally,\nits inherent bactericidal activity prevents biofouling, ensuring sustained\nefficiency in water collection. The mesh’s self-cleaning abilities\nthrough photocatalysis maintain its surface integrity, promising long-term\nstability for fog harvesting applications. This technological advancement\nin fog harvesting offers a sustainable and economical solution to\nwater scarcity concerns, addressing safety and sustainability issues\nassociated with existing systems. By potentially transforming the\nlivelihoods of communities struggling with water scarcity, this innovation\npaves the way for a more sustainable future.