Advanced solar-driven hydrogel sponge for efficient heavy metal wastewater purification and clean water production through interfacial evaporation.

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE) technology represents a promising solution for freshwater harvesting, characterized by its cost-effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and sustainability. Nevertheless, achieving efficient removal of heavy metal ions during the SDIE process remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a cost-effective method to construct a hybrid hydrogel evaporator by incorporating the konjac glucomannan (KGM) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) network.