Ultralong polypyrrole nanotubes aerogels with excellent elasticity for efficient solar steam generation

Abstract Background Solar interface evaporation is considered to be a sustainable and environmentally friendly technology for obtaining fresh water from seawater. However, the preparation of photothermal conversion materials with excellent evaporation performance, good mechanical properties, and simple method for the solar interface evaporation still faces challenge. Methods Herein, we report the fabrication of ultralong polypyrrole nanotubes aerogel-based solar steam generator through one-pot oxidative self-polymerization of pyrrole monomer using methyl orange as template and ferric chloride as oxidant. Significant findings The as-prepared aerogel shows excellent elasticity, which can be compressed by 30% and recover to its original shape within a few seconds. In combination with abundant porosity (92.3%), low thermal conductivity (0.077 W m−1 K−1), super hydrophilic wettability and high light absorption (94%), the as-prepared aerogel shows a high solar-to-vapor efficiency above 74.5% even in high concentration saline (20%). This work provides new opportunities for effective design of conductive polymer-based photothermal monolithic materials with tunable porosity, adjustable morphology, required mechanical properties and high evaporation performance.