Molecular Engineering of Hydrogels for Rapid Water Disinfection and Sustainable Solar Vapor Generation

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202102994
• Publication Date: 2021-07-22T14:30:47Z
• Authors: Youhong Guo; Christopher M. Du...; Xingyi Zhou; Keith P. Johnston; Guihua Yu
• Keywords: Portable water purification

Abstract Consumption of unsafe water is a major cause morbidity and mortality in developing regions. Pasteurizing or boiling to remove pathogens energy‐intensive often impractical off‐grid communities. Therefore, low capital cost, rapid energy‐efficient disinfection methods are urgently required address global challenges safe access. Here, anti‐bacterial hydrogels (ABHs) with catechol‐enabled molecular‐level hydrogen peroxide generators quinone‐anchored activated carbon particles designed for effective treatment. The bactericidal effect attributed the synergy quinone groups attack essential cell components disturb bacterial metabolism. ABHs can be directly used as tablets achieve >99.999% efficiency within 60 min without energy input. No harmful byproducts formed during treatment process, after which ABH easily removed residues. Taking advantage their excellent photothermal biofouling‐resistant properties, also applied solar evaporators stable purification under sunlight ( ≤ 1 kW m −2 ) months storage operation bacteria‐containing river water. platform offers reduced chemical demands point‐of‐use technologies remote areas emergency rescue applications.