A novel composite film, constructed through polypyrrole particle stacking and polydopamine space-filling, demonstrates exceptional performance in dye/salt separation with high water flux (>600 L m⁻² h⁻¹ bar⁻¹) and near-perfect dye rejection (~100%).
The film’s unique patterned surface structure, created by microsphere arrangement and inter-structure adaptation assembly, provides excellent contamination tolerance and rinsing regeneration capabilities, while computational fluid dynamics simulations reveal that high shear stress and vortex flow in interstitial spaces reduce contaminant deposition.
This innovative composite film, exhibiting good structural stability and mechanical strength in complex water environments, unveils crucial structure-function relationships for functional films with graded channels, paving the way for advanced applications in water purification and treatment technologies.