Fig. 1
From: Plant leaves inspired sunlight-driven purifier for high-efficiency clean water production
Schematic of water treatment of the sunlight-powered purifier (PNPG-F). a Microstructure of the sunlight-driven purifier. The PNPG-F purifier consists of PNIPAm chains growing on the surface of melamine skeleton and PG membrane coated outside. Melamine provides a water suction channel via capillary force and inhibits bulk volume collapse of the purifier. b Water purification procedure based on the PNPG-F purifier. The coated PG demonstrates solar–thermal conversion and pollute rejection. After being immersed in pollute water, PNPG-F adsorbs a large amount of clean water. Under sunlight irradiation, the PG membrane converts sunlight into thermal energy and heats PN to the temperature above LCST, facilitating hydrophilization; thus, clean water can be produced via transpiration and guttation
