Dual Plasmons with Bioinspired 3D Network Structure Enabling Ultrahigh Efficient Solar Steam Generation.

Wang, Yong; He, Wanting; Yang, Ruiqi; Pohl, Darius; Rellinghaus, Bernd; Neathway, Peter A C; Kalantari Bolaghi, Zahra; Wang, Chen et al. · Nano Lett · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Plasmonic nanomaterials such as Au, Ag, and Cu are widely recognized for their strong light-matter interactions, making them promising photothermal materials for solar steam generation. However, their practical use in water evaporation is significantly limited by the trade-off between high costs and poor stability. In this regard, we introduce a novel, nonmetallic dual plasmonic TiN/MoO<sub>3-<i>x</i></sub> composite. This composite features a three-dimensional, urchin-like biomimetic structure, with plasmonic TiN nanoparticles embedded within a network of plasmonic MoO<sub>3-<i>x</i></sub> nanorods. As a solar absorber, the TiN/MoO<sub>3-<i>x</i></sub> composite achieves a high evaporation rate of ∼2.05 kg m<sup>-2</sup> h<sup>-1</sup> with an energy efficiency up to 106.7% under 1 sun illumination, outperforming the state-of-the-art plasmonic systems. The high photothermal stability and unique dual plasmonic nanostructure of the TiN/MoO<sub>3-<i>x</i></sub> composite are demonstrated by advanced <i>in situ</i> laser-heating transmission electron microscopy and photon-induced near-field electron microscopy/electron energy-loss spectroscopy, respectively. This work provides new inspiration for the design of plasmonic materials.