Cu-based MOF-derived porous carbon with highly efficient photothermal conversion performance for solar steam evaporation

Metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon nanostructure photothermal materials have attracted tremendous attention, and have shown remarkable potential in the application of solar steam generation, due to their excellent light absorption properties, high chemical stability, and considerable photothermal conversion efficiency. In this paper, Cu-MOF derived carbon materials with regulable porous structures were prepared for the photothermal conversion application. It was found that the sample obtained at 500 °C shows the highest photothermal conversion efficiency as high as 64.42%. Besides, an efficient evaporator using polydimethylsiloxane as a matrix achieves an evaporation rate of 1.97 kg m−2 h−1 and a conversion efficiency of ca. 113.4% under one sun illumination. The effects of the compositions and structures of the materials on the photothermal conversion efficiency are also investigated, and the free radical concentration and the pore structures show a strong correlation with photothermal conversion efficiency.