Abstract:
Employing solar energy for the interfacial desalination of seawater via nanoparticles presents a
sustainable and eco-friendly solution to alleviate the global water scarcity problem. Traditional
desalination methods often suffer from low efficiencies, and the majority necessitate extensive
heating, making them economically unfavorable. This study presents a facile hydrothermal
synthesis of MoSe2, CoMoSe2, and NiMoSe2 nanoparticles. These particles are subsequently
deposited onto a cotton gauze membrane using a straightforward procedure. Characterization of
the formed nanoparticles was performed using various analytical techniques such as X-ray
diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS),
UV-Visible spectroscopy, and Raman Spectroscopy. The hydrophilic nature of the membrane
surface was verified through contact angle measurements, while its photothermal conversion
efficiency was confirmed via infrared imaging. We conducted multiple tests to calculate the
photothermal evaporation rate and solar efficiency to assess stability. The desalinated water
produced through this solar method was subsequently tested for ion concentration using atomic
absorption spectroscopy, which yielded results below the drinking water standard set by the World
Health Organization. As a result, we have successfully synthesized a porous, hydrophilic, and selffloating
membrane that shows promise for real-world implementation.
