Preparation of graphitized carbon-coated glass fiber cloth materials with high mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and solar-driven water evaporation performance

Global warming has highlighted the urgency of implementing renewable energy technologies. Solar-driven water evaporation has attracted significant attention because solar radiation is a green (i.e., renewable) energy source that can be applied for seawater desalination purposes. Various materials have been developed to promote the transformation of solar energy to heat to enhance the efficiency of steam generation. However, developing materials that are suitable for long-term applications, i.e., with high mechanical strength and antifouling resistance, is challenging. This report describes the preparation of carbon-coated glass fiber cloth (C-GFC) using a polymer pyrolysis method. The C-GFC exhibited high mechanical strength (240 MPa), anti-corrosion properties in acidic and alkaline environments, light absorption over 95%, and good hydrophilicity. After integrating the C-GFC into a three-layer evaporation generator device, the evaporation rate exceeded 1.5 kg m−2 h−1 under one sun, with 88% thermal conversion efficiency. Moreover, the C-GFC materials maintained their initial evaporation rate even after long-term treatment in acidic, alkaline, and seawater environments. The developed carbon-coated glass fiber cloth materials therefore demonstrate promising potential for photothermal water conversion applications. © 2022 Elsevier B.V.