@article{Chen2026, 
author = {Xushuai Chen and Panpan Zhang and Ruiqi Zhao and Chunjia Luo and Min Chao and Xi Chen and Luke Yan},
title = {MXene/B-doped g-C3N4 for synergistic solar water purification: Coupling interfacial evaporation and photocatalysis},
year = {2026},
journal = {Nano Research},
volume = {19},
number = {2},
pages = {94908325},
keywords = {photocatalysis, MXene, water purification, photothermal evaporation, graphene nitride},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.26599/NR.2026.94908325},
doi = {10.26599/NR.2026.94908325},
abstract = {Interfacial solar steam generators enable sustainable freshwater production via photothermal conversion, yet effective purification of both feed water and distillate remains challenging. Here, a mechanically interlocked MXene/boron-doped mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosphere (BMNS) hybrid membrane is engineered through vacuum-assisted self-assembly, synergistically coupling ultraefficient photothermal evaporation with robust photocatalytic degradation. The BMNS nanospheres embedded in loosely stacked MXene nanosheets establish rapid water transport nanochannels while achieving ultralow thermal conductivity (0.43 W·m−1·K−1). This structure enabled a high solar evaporation rate of 2.10 kg·m−2·h−1 and achieved a photothermal conversion efficiency of 98.1%. Simultaneously, the generated reactive oxygen species (·OH/·O2−) degraded 95.6% of the organic pollutants (10 ppm Rhodamine B) within 4 h. Furthermore, it maintained a stable evaporation rate of 2.00 kg·m−2·h−1 over a long-term operation of 200 h. Field validation using eutrophic lake water demonstrates concurrent clean water production and comprehensive purification: 90.0% total organic carbon removal, 92.0% chemical oxygen demand reduction, 93.1% microbial inactivation, improved optical clarity, and > 99% antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This work provides a scalable blueprint for multifunctional membranes addressing water scarcity and pollution simultaneously.}
}