A degradable polyimide aerogel with highly efficient solar-thermal-electric effect for oil absorption, deicing, and power generation

Abstract

Photothermal materials are considered as promising materials because they can convert clean solar energy into thermal and electrical energy. However, developing degradable photothermal materials with highly efficient solar-thermal-electric energy conversion performance remains a huge challenge. Here, a superhydrophobic bio-polyimide/carbon quantum dots aerogel (S-BioPI/CQDs) is synthesized. S-BioPI/CQDs exhibits superhydrophobicity (WCA = 155°) and super lipophilicity (OCA = 0°). Remarkably, S-BioPI/CQDs shows good solar-thermal-electric energy conversion properties. The surface temperature of S-BioPI/CQDs can be up to 80 °C within 68 s under the solar light irradiation of 1 kW m⁻². S-BioPI/CQDs has large crude oil adsorption capacity (up to 68.8 times as much as its own weight) and deicing under sunlight irradiation. Meanwhile, the output voltage can be up to 706 mV under the solar light irradiation of 5 kW m⁻². S-BioPI/CQDs can resist the impact of harsh environments, such as high temperatures, dynamic ocean environments, and strong acid environment. More importantly, S-BioPI/CQDs can be degraded completely within only 8 min. This is the first time to achieve the degradation of PI aerogel. This study provides a new and effective method to prepare advanced photothermal materials with degradable performances for the efficient use of solar energy to solve the fossil fuel crisis and protect the environment.