Open Access

REVIEW

Conjugated Polymer Hydrogel: A Highly Efficient Material of Solar Water Purification

Hanyi Zou^1,2,#, Xinye Xu^1,3,#, Mutian Yao¹, Baoyang Lu^1,*

1 Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics, Flexible Electronics Innovation Institute, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang, 330013, China
2 Jiangxi University of Technology High School, Nanchang, 330096, China
3 Electronic Materials Research Laboratory, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education, International Center for Dielectric Research, Shaanxi Engineering Research Center of Advanced Energy Materials and Devices, School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049, China

* Corresponding Author: Baoyang Lu. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to this work

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Multifunctional Conductive Hydrogels and Their Applications)

Journal of Polymer Materials 2025, 42(2), 339-358. https://doi.org/10.32604/jpm.2024.057955

Received 31 August 2024; Accepted 12 November 2024; Issue published 14 July 2025

Abstract

The global scarcity of clean water is an escalating issue due to climate change, population growth, and pollution. Traditional water purification technologies, while effective, often require significant energy input and complex infrastructure, limiting their accessibility. This review explores the use of conjugated polymer hydrogels as a promising solution for solar water purification. Conjugated polymer hydrogels offer unique advantages, including high photothermal conversion efficiency, effective heat management, and rapid water transport, which are crucial for efficient solar-driven water evaporation. By leveraging the properties of these hydrogels, it is possible to significantly reduce the energy required for water evaporation, making them a cost-effective and scalable option for producing potable water from seawater or wastewater. This review discusses the principles of solar water purification using conjugated polymer hydrogels, strategies to enhance their performance through material and structural design, and their applications in pollutant removal and desalination. Additionally, it addresses the advantages and limitations of these materials, providing insights into their potential future development and applications in sustainable water purification technologies.

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Keywords

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