Designing a 1D/2D W18O49/rGO heterostructure and constructing a bilayer structure of light absorber for highly efficient steam generation

Solar steam generation is a prospectively technology that could be used to alleviate the problem of water shortage. Here, we design a 1D/2D W18O49/rGO heterostructure and construct a bilayer structure of light absorber, which contains W18O49 nanofibers and rGO nanosheets composite layer for sunlight harvesting and a pre-treated wood layer for water supply and thermal insulation. With an optimized composition of the 1D/2D W18O49/rGO heterostructure, the constructed interfacial evaporation system demonstrate a quick thermal response and achieve a steady-state evaporation efficiency of 86.5% with the evaporation rate of 1.34 kg∙m−2∙h−1 under one sun illumination, and it exhibits excellent cycle stabilities after 25 cycles. Moreover, the salinity of the sea water is greatly reduced, much less than the World Health Organization (WHO) standards of the drinking water. This novel and facile bilayer structure demonstrates substantial promise for application in the fields of solar evaporation to deal with the problem of water shortage. [Display omitted] •A bilayer light absorber with the localized heating effect was constructed.•A heterostructure consist of W18O49 nanowires and rGO nanosheets was fabricated.•Highly efficient steam generation and photothermal conversion efficiency was achieved.