Multifunctional MoS(2)/CNTs/Chitosan Hybrid Hydrogel Sponge for Efficient Solar-Driven Seawater Desalination and Wastewater Purification.

A scalable MoS2/CNTs/chitosan hybrid hydrogel sponge achieves a solar-driven evaporation rate of 1.82 kg·m−2·h−1, about 7.9 times higher than natural evaporation, with salt tolerance.

• Why it matters: Efficient multifunctional solar evaporators are needed to address global freshwater shortages and wastewater purification challenges, but designing such systems remains technically difficult.
• What they did: The study fabricated a self-cleaning hybrid evaporator (MCCM) by integrating MoS2, chitosan, CNTs, and melamine sponge, utilizing electrostatic interactions and hydrophilic pathways to enhance water transport and salt resistance.
• The result: MCCM not only meets drinking water standards by producing 22.45 kg·m−2 of freshwater in 9 hours but also achieves 98.27% CR degradation under solar irradiation, supporting sustainable water purification and plant germination.