Polydopamine-Bi(2)WO(6)-Decorated Gauzes as Dual-Functional Membranes for Solar Steam Generation and Photocatalytic Degradation Applications

The dual-functional Bi(2)WO(6)/polydopamine (PDA)-modified gauze membrane has been developed for applications in photocatalytic degradation and solar steam generation. Two types of membrane were prepared by changing the growth sequence of Bi(2)WO(6) nanomaterials and PDA on gauze substrates. The spatial distribution of Bi(2)WO(6) and polydopamine has a great influence on light absorption, photocatalytic degradation, and solar steam generation performances. Bi(2)WO(6) photocatalysts can absorb short-wavelength light for the photocatalytic decoloration of organic dyes. The photothermal polydopamine can convert light into heat for water evaporation. Besides, the gauze substrate provides water transport channels to facilitate water evaporation. The morphology, surface chemistry, and optical properties of Bi(2)WO(6)-PDA modified gauzes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectra. The photothermal properties, wetting properties, and solar steam generation rates of the composite films were also studied. Degradation of 96% of indigo carmine was achieved after being irradiated for 120 min in the presence of G/PDA/BWN(P). The water evaporation rates of the G/BWP/PDA sample under the irradiation of an Xe lamp (light intensity = 1000 W/m(2)) reached 1.94 kg·m(−2)·h(−1).