High-density and narrow-distribution dithiocarbamate (DTC) functionalized polymer brush grafted SiO₂ nanocomposites (DTC-PGMA@SiO₂) were synthesized via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and subsequent DTC functionalization, which could serve as an efficient nanostructured adsorbent material. Systematic characterization was performed to identify the sea anemone like core-brush structure. More importantly, the DTC-PGMA@SiO₂ adsorbent exhibited remarkable performance in capturing heavy metal ions from water. The adsorption behaviour, including the effect of pH, adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, adsorption thermodynamics and adsorption mechanism, was investigated in detail. Interestingly, the adsorbent complexes show different color changes depending upon the species of adsorbed ions, indicating that the DTC-PGMA@SiO₂ can be potentially used as a sensor for metallic contaminants in water bodies. The regeneration experiments showed that the adsorbent is both cost-effective and sustainable. The high-capacity and rapid adsorption of metallic ions, which are due to the well-defined core-brush structure, large specific surface area and strong binding ability of DTC groups, make this adsorbent material promising in the capture of heavy metal ions from contaminated water.

Solar-driven evaporators (SDEs) have attracted increasing attention in producing potable freshwater. Developing a multitasking SDE with stable self-floating performance, long-term salt resistance, effective heat management, pollutant degradation capability and good scalability for industrial production is significant but challenging. This work demonstrates the fabrication of a cellulose paper-based SDE with rough photothermal coating, controlled Janus wettability and a hierarchical Fenton catalyst for advanced solar desalination. Through the surface deposition of an urchin-like nanocatalyst and polypyrrole coating, a rough photothermal top layer for enhanced light trapping (98.6%) and a Fenton catalytic bottom layer for in situ pollutant degradation (98.1%) are constructed. Benzophenone-terminated polydimethylsiloxane is designed to realize facile asymmetric photo-grafting on porous paper, which further endows the evaporator with controlled Janus wettability, stable self-floating performance, long-term salt resistance, efficient heat management and rapid water transfer. Benefiting from such advantages, high solar-to-vapor efficiency (95.3%) and evaporation rate (1.88 kg m⁻² h⁻¹) are obtained. This cellulose paper-based evaporator also exhibits mechanical flexibility, portability and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, the preparation process, including simple deposition and cleaner photo-grafting, is feasible and scalable for industrial production. This work provides innovative concepts for developing advanced paper evaporators to realize multitasking solar desalination.