A Polyoxoniobate‐Based Molecular Heterojunction Orchestrates Heat and Vapor Transport for Efficient Solar Evaporation

ABSTRACT Efficient solar‐driven interfacial evaporation requires precise coordination of heat and mass transport, yet achieving such synergy within conventional molecular systems remains challenging. Here, we address this limitation using an atomically precise polyoxoniobate (PONb)‐based molecular heterojunction, [Te 5 Cu 0.2 Nb 15 O 57 H 5.6 ][(CuL) 7 (OH)]·21H 2 O (PONb‐CuL, L = 2,2′‐bipyridine), in which hydrophilic PONb clusters are covalently integrated with photothermal organocopper CuL units. This Janus molecular architecture couples broadband solar absorption with interfacial water‐cluster regulation within a single framework. Under one‐sun irradiation, a two‐dimensional PONb‐CuL evaporator delivers an evaporation rate of 2.87 kg m −2 h −1 . Incorporation into a three‐dimensional aerogel architecture further boosts the evaporation rate to 5.34 kg m −2 h −1 , affording a freshwater yield of 29.25 L m −2 under outdoor operation. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the PONb domain promotes hydrogen‐bonded water‐cluster formation, whereas the organocopper domain reduces the energy barrier for interfacial water transport and vapor escape. This work introduces polyoxometalate‐based molecular heterojunction engineering as a strategy for orchestrating coupled heat and mass transport, offering critical insights into the rational design of efficient solar‐to‐vapor conversion systems.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-09-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.78391
Primary Topic
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

A Polyoxoniobate‐Based Molecular Heterojunction Orchestrates Heat and Vapor Transport for Efficient Solar Evaporation

Shou‐Tian Zheng, Xiang Ma, Peiqi Zhang, 耶芸 魏 et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
article

A Polyoxoniobate‐Based Molecular Heterojunction Orchestrates Heat and Vapor Transport for Efficient Solar Evaporation

Shou‐Tian Zheng, Xiang Ma, Peiqi Zhang, 耶芸 魏, Tong Li, Zhong Li, Huixue Lei
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Efficient solar‐driven interfacial evaporation requires precise coordination of heat and mass transport, yet achieving such synergy within conventional molecular systems remains challenging. Here, we address this limitation using an atomically precise polyoxoniobate (PONb)‐based molecular heterojunction, [Te 5 Cu 0.2 Nb 15 O 57 H 5.6 ][(CuL) 7 (OH)]·21H 2 O (PONb‐CuL, L = 2,2′‐bipyridine), in which hydrophilic PONb clusters are covalently integrated with photothermal organocopper CuL units. This Janus molecular architecture couples broadband solar absorption with interfacial water‐cluster regulation within a single framework. Under one‐sun irradiation, a two‐dimensional PONb‐CuL evaporator delivers an evaporation rate of 2.87 kg m −2 h −1 . Incorporation into a three‐dimensional aerogel architecture further boosts the evaporation rate to 5.34 kg m −2 h −1 , affording a freshwater yield of 29.25 L m −2 under outdoor operation. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the PONb domain promotes hydrogen‐bonded water‐cluster formation, whereas the organocopper domain reduces the energy barrier for interfacial water transport and vapor escape. This work introduces polyoxometalate‐based molecular heterojunction engineering as a strategy for orchestrating coupled heat and mass transport, offering critical insights into the rational design of efficient solar‐to‐vapor conversion systems.

Advanced Functional Materials
Fuzhou University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Solar-Powered Water Purification Methods
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.