Self-floating hybrid hydrogels assembled with conducting polymer hollow spheres and silica aerogel microparticles for solar steam generation

Abstract

Self-floating polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based hybrid hydrogels for efficient solar steam generation with a highest production rate of 1.83 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1 sun illumination are designed and synthesized by assembling conducting polymer hollow spheres and aerogel microparticles within the network.