Hierarchical structure regulation for sequential steps in solar vapor generation

Abstract

Including the transpiration of leaves, water evaporation from solar irradiation is a universal phenomenon in nature. Currently, solar vapor generation allows clean water to be obtained from various waterbodies. Since water is transported through porous structures and evaporates on their surfaces, the properties of the nanomicro structure, especially the surfaces are significantly important. For instance, the surface energy, determined by the localized atomic arrangement, can modify the interactions between water and the substrate. Moreover, the construction of a three-dimensional hierarchical structure can efficiently enlarge the surface area, and the provided channels play a vital role in mass transfer. In this review, we summarize recent research on the structural regulation in tuning the sequential steps in photo-vapor generation. We hope this review can provide a rational and systemic basis for the development of advanced solar vapor generating materials, especially from the view of surface engineering.

Enhanced uranium extraction from seawater: from the viewpoint of kinetics and thermodynamics

“…176 (B) Regulation of the solar vapor generating structure affects each of the subsequent processes in the process, such as heat distribution, water/vapor transfer, and solar harvesting. 194 Fig. 10 (A) Marine fouling development methods.…”

“…We have published some research articles for the better understanding of photothermal evaporation phenomena. 176–178 For the first time, we have synthesized a hollow multishelled structure (HoMS) using a composite of amorphous Ta 2 O 5 and carbon, which efficiently enhanced the photothermal conversion. Fig.…”

Nature-inspired sustainable solar evaporators for seawater desalination

“…14,15 To improve the evaporation rate of solar evaporators, the methods usually used include reducing the thermal conductivity, improving the light-heat conversion efficiency, and regulating the heat distribution. 16–18 To improve the service life of evaporators, researchers have considered many approaches to improve anti-salt and anti-fouling properties that can be summarized as the following strategies: location-specific salt crystallization, adoption of a Janus structure, self-rotation, ion-electromigration strategy, self-cleaning, and enhanced reflux. 19–21 The above methods improve the performance of solar evaporators, but they can still be further optimized.…”

Hierarchical Tantalum Oxide Composite for Efficient Solar-Driven Water Purification

“…Unfortunately, polymer hydrogels suffer from unstable synthesis and easy aging. Semiconductor solar vapor materials possess a large number of free carriers, strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, , significant thermal concentration effect, − and easily controlled nanostructures, especially some metal oxides, such as magnetic Fe 3 O 4 , which can facilitate the recovery and reuse of suspended particles . Carbon-based solar vapor materials possess a wide light absorption range, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity shift, and micropores/mesopores.…”