Copper‐Nanoparticle‐Decorated Hydrothermal Carbonaceous Carbon–Polydimethylsiloxane Nanocomposites: Unveiling Potential in Simultaneous Light‐Driven Interfacial Water Evaporation and Power Generation

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Vol. 20; no. 37; pp. e2403565 - n/a
• Main Authors: Fattahimoghaddam, Hossein, Kim, In Ho, Dhandapani, Keerthnasre, Jeong, Yong Jin, An, Tae Kyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Absorption; Carbon; Chemical synthesis; Copper; Electric fields; Evaporation; Functional materials; Glucose; Infrared analysis; interfacial water evaporation; localized π systems; metal–semiconductor hybrids; Microstructure; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Near infrared radiation; Photoelectrons; plasmonics; Polydimethylsiloxane; Reducing agents; Thermoelectric power generation; thermoelectric power generation; metal–semiconductor hybrids; localized π systems; interfacial water evaporation; plasmonics
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202403565

This study introduces a hydrothermal synthesis method that uses glucose and Cu2+ ions to create a Cu‐nanoparticle (NP)‐decorated hydrothermal carbonaceous carbon hybrid material (Cu–HTCC). Glucose serves both as a reducing agent, efficiently transforming Cu2+ ions into elemental Cu nanostructures, and as a precursor for HTCC microstructures. An enhanced plasmon‐induced electric field resulting from Cu NPs supported on microstructure matrices, coupled with a distinctive localized π‐electronic configuration in the hybrid material, as confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis, lead to the heightened optical absorption in the visible–near‐infrared range. Consequently, flexible nanocomposites of Cu–HTCC/PDMS and Cu–HTCC@PDMS (PDMS = polydimethylsiloxane) are designed as 2 and 3D structures, respectively, that exhibit broad‐spectrum solar absorption. These composites promise efficient photo‐assisted thermoelectric power generation and water evaporation, demonstrating commendable mechanical stability and flexibility. Notably, the Cu–HTCC@PDMS composite sponge simultaneously exhibits commendable efficiency in both water evaporation (1.47 kg m−2 h−1) and power generation (32.1 mV) under 1 sunlight illumination. These findings unveil new possibilities for innovative photothermal functional materials in diverse solar‐driven applications. Hydrothermal synthesis incorporated Cu NPs onto HTCC matrices using glucose and Cu2+ ions, enhancing plasmon‐induced electric fields through coupling effect of nanoparticle assembly. The resulting Cu–HTCC hybrid exhibited unique light absorption due to its distinct localized π electronic configuration. Cu–HTCC@PDMS nanocomposites showed broad‐spectrum solar absorption, mechanical stability, and flexibility, promising combined photo‐assisted thermoelectric power generation and water evaporation.