Polyimide/MXene hybrid aerogel-based phase-change composites for solar-driven seawater desalination

•We developed a new type of phase-change composites for solar-driven seawater desalination.•The composites are based on polyimide/MXene hybrid aerogel and PEG phase change material.•The composites show high latent-heat capacity and high solar photothermal conversion efficiency.•The composites exhibit a seawater evaporation rate of 1.24 kg·m−2·h−1 under one sun illumination.•The composites have great potential for the application in sustainable seawater desalination.