With integrated activated water in a hydrated cellulose network and the synergistic photothermal effect between PDA and MX, the obtained PDMX@DW evaporator achieved a high evaporation rate of 2.08 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1 sun illumination.

To enhance the interface bonding of polyimide (PI)/carbon fiber (CF) composites, CFs were functionalized by introducing a polydopamine (PDA) transition layer, whose active groups provide absorption sites for the growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets and improve the bonding strength with PI. Uniform and dense MoS₂ nanosheets with thicknesses of 30–40 nm on the surface of the PDA@CF were obtained via a subsequent hydrothermal method. As a result, the interface between the CF and the PI matrix becomes more compact with the help of the PDA transition layer and MoS₂ nanosheets. This is beneficial in forming PI/CF-MoS₂ composites with better thermal stability, higher tensile strength, and enhanced tribological properties. The lubricating and reinforcing effects of the hybrid CF-MoS₂ in the PI composite are discussed in detail. The tensile strength of the PI/CF-MoS₂ composite increases by 43%, and the friction coefficient and the wear rate reduce by 57% and 77%, respectively, compared to those of the pure PI. These values are higher than those of the PI/CF composites without MoS₂ nanosheets. These results indicate that the CF-MoS₂ hybrid material can be used as an additive to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of polymers.

The severe problem of water scarcity has led to the derivation and rapid development of solar vapor generation (SVG) technology. However, high cost, short-term stability in harsh environments, and potential secondary pollution restrict the practical application of most solar evaporators, especially in economically underdeveloped areas. Herein, we design a low-cost and long-term stable sponge evaporator by combining carbonized pomelo peel particles (CPPs) with chitosan (CS) and bamboo fibers (BFs) for efficient solar vapor generation. Due to the interactive macroporous architecture formed by BF's random interspersion in chitosan lamellae and the excellent CPP solar absorbers, the obtained robust CS/BFs/CPPs sponge evaporator exhibits a water evaporation rate of 2.317 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ with an energy conversion efficiency of 89.23% under one sun illumination. In addition, this sponge evaporator can work in harsh water environments such as acid–base solutions, dye solutions, and high salinity brine for long periods of time because of the stable interactive structure. More importantly, since all green materials for constructing the evaporator belong to the natural world, we demonstrate, the first example of ageing evaporator that can be reutilized and transformed into the soil. This work not only highlights the potential for developing low-cost and long-term durable solar evaporators but also contributes to the research direction for recycling and reutilization of ageing evaporators.