Maya Blue‐Inspired Hybrid Coating for Robust and Superhydrophilic Solar Evaporators Using Commercial Black Acrylic Paint

Abstract Freshwater scarcity is an escalating global issue, driving the demand for efficient and durable materials in solar‐driven water purification systems. Inspired by the legendary resilience of Maya blue—a hybrid pigment renowned for its exceptional stability in harsh environments—commercial black acrylic paint is investigated as a photothermal coating material for solar vapor generation. The paint is found to comprise carbon black pigment and inorganic extenders like talc, MgSiO ₃ , and MgCO ₃ , uniformly dispersed within an acrylic polymer matrix to form a hybrid organic–inorganic structure. When applied to a substrate, this coating enhances broadband solar absorption and introduces surface hydrophilicity, potentially improving both light harvesting and water transport. Carbon felts coated with black acrylic paint maintain their photothermal performance after six months of outdoor exposure, achieving a sustained desalination rate of 1.85 kg m ⁻² h ⁻¹ . This exceptional durability is attributed to the synergistic effects of the inorganic extenders, which protect the binder from degradation, and the organic matrix, which secures the components together and ensures strong adhesion to the substrate. These findings suggest that black acrylic paint, inspired by ancient material science, could offer a cost‐effective and robust solution for sustainable solar‐driven desalination technologies.