Fe3O4-polyvinyl alcohol sponge as photo-absorber in interfacial solar steam generation

Hierarchically Designed Polydopamine@Co3O4–SnO2-Anchored Cellulose Photothermal Sponge for Efficient Interfacial Solar Steam Generation

“…When PTMs are in direct contact with bulk water, there is high heat loss by conduction, which reduces the rate of evaporation, separating the photothermal surface from bulk water by a 1D or 2D water path can significantly reduce the conduction loss of heat. − Moreover, by introducing a cold evaporation surface, energy from the surroundings will be absorbed which maximizes the evaporation and may cross the theoretical limit. ,− For continuous water supply materials with a hydrophilic nature are utilized, and hydrophobic materials are used for evaporation surfaces to avoid salt accumulation in PTMs, this combination of superhydrophobic/superhydrophilic PTMs successfully avoids salt accumulation on photothermal surfaces. − However, the problem with this material is the salt accumulation in interfaces of hydrophilic/hydrophobic junctions, which not only reduces water supply to the photothermal surface but also reduces the life span of the PTMs. ,, Therefore, hydrophilic materials with low cost, environmental friendliness, and high porosity are aimed. This could provide the continuous flow of saline waters through the porous structure to the evaporation surfaces and also redissolve the salt crystals on the evaporation surfaces because of their hydrophilic nature. − …”