Hangyuan Du, Huiyue Wang, Xueying Wen, Qianyu Wei, Junhao Ai, Chang Liu, Guixin Hu*, Ran Niu*, Jiang Gong*

Efficient solar-driven interfacial steam-electricity co-generation by modular design of an integrated CAU-23/graphene hybrid evaporator for solar-driven interfacial steam and electricity co-generation

Carbon Energy (2026) Accept. (IF2025 = 24.2)

Interfacial solar steam generation integrated with electricity production has emerged as a cutting-edge and efficient technology for the concurrent mitigation of freshwater shortage and energy scarcity. However, critical bottlenecks persist in optimizing system performance and elucidating the intrinsic synergistic mechanism underlying freshwater and electricity co-generation. Herein, we rationally design bicomponent CAU-23/graphene (CAU-23/G) evaporators that effectively achieve freshwater and electricity co-generation. By constructing a multiscale porous architecture that synergistically integrates the nanoconfined ionic channels of CAU-23 with the superior photothermal conversion of graphene, the CAU-23/G evaporator resolves the inherent trade-off between macroscopic water transport and microscopic ion selectivity. Featuring satisfactory water transport kinetics, outstanding broadband sunlight absorption (>99%), and low evaporation enthalpy, the bifunctional evaporator delivers an outstanding evaporation rate of 2.71 kg m^-2 h^-1 with the photothermal conversion efficiency of 99.6% under one-sun illumination. Simultaneously, it generates the stable open-circuit voltage of 0.53 V and short-circuit current of 9 μA during seawater evaporation, outperforming the state-of-the-art bifunctional evaporators or generators. Molecular dynamics simulations further reveal that the differential interaction of functional groups (e.g., μ-OH) in the CAU-23 framework with Na⁺ and Cl^- governs the formation of evaporation-induced streaming potential, providing clear mechanistic insights into the power generation process. This work paves a novel pathway for sustainable solar-driven freshwater and electricity cogeneration using modularly designed functional evaporator devices, presenting a green and feasible solution to the pressing global challenges of freshwater and energy deficits.