Coupling solar desalination with multi-mechanism power generation offers a promising dual solution to water and energy crises, yet salt crystallization poses a major obstacle. Here, we present an integrated system featuring as multiple Donnan effects for salt-resistant solar desalination and dual-mode power generation. Leveraging the mechanisms of hydrogen bond differentials and Fe3+-tannic acid crosslinking, a ─SO3 --functionalized porous sponge evaporator (PSE-SO3 -) was fabricated. Enabled by the Donnan effect of ─SO3 - groups, the evaporator simultaneously resists salt accumulation and boosts hydrovoltaic power generation, thereby achieving a peak seawater evaporation rate of 4.19 kg m-2 h-1 under one-sun irradiation while maintaining a salt-free surface. Simultaneously, PSE2-SO3 - generated electricity via the hydrovoltaic effect, delivering outstanding power densities of 5.76/4.34 mW m-2 under one sun/dark conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations and in situ Raman spectroscopy confirmed Cl- interception and elucidated the H+-water interaction mechanism for power generation. Furthermore, integrating reverse electrodialysis based on the Donnan effect as an auxiliary strategy enhanced salt resistance of PSE2-SO3 - and delivered an osmotic power output of 0.804 W m-2. Scale-up of the self-designed integrated system to an outdoor environment revealed synergistic performance outcomes, thereby establishing a pioneering demonstration platform for the efficient cogeneration of clean water and energy from seawater.
Zou et al. (Tue,) studied this question.