Interfacial Solar Evaporation: From Fundamental Research to Applications

Abstract

In the last decade, interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG), powered by natural sunlight garnered significant attention due to its great potential for low‐cost and environmentally friendly clean water production in alignment with the global decarbonization efforts. In this review, we aim to share the knowledge and engage with a broader readership about the current progress of ISSG technology and the facing challenges to promote further advancements towards practical applications. The first part of this review assesses the current strategies for enhancing energy efficiency of ISSG systems, including optimizing light absorption, reducing energy losses, harvesting additional energy, and lowering evaporation enthalpy. Subsequently, we elucidate the current challenges faced by ISSG technologies, notably salt accumulation and bio‐fouling issues in practical applications and discuss contemporary methods to overcome these challenges. In the end, we introduce potential applications of ISSG, ranging from initial seawater desalination and industrial wastewater purification to power generation, sterilization, soil remediation, and innovative concept of solar sea farm, highlighting the promising potential of ISSG technology in contributing to sustainable and environmentally conscious practices. Based on the review and in‐depth understanding of these aspects, we propose the future research focuses to address potential issues in both fundamental research and practical applications.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Versatile GO/ANFs Aerogel for Highly Efficient Solar-Powered Water Purification in Wide Environments

“…Until now, various modern desalination strategies have been used for producing fresh water, including ultraviolet (UV) filtration, reverse osmosis (RO), and chemical filtration. − For example, RO is currently the most widely used desalination technology, but it has the disadvantage of high construction and maintenance costs . Solar steam generation is an emerging solar-assisted desalination technology that holds great promise for addressing water and energy shortages because of its high photothermal conversion efficiency, cost effectiveness, and sustainability. − Specifically, interfacial solar evaporation is attracting increasing interest due to its ability to realize local, efficient heating of a small amount of water at the evaporation interface to fully utilize solar energy. − In recent years, there have been extensive attempts to develop interfacial solar evaporators for the production of clean water. − Despite the considerable evaluation of the purification of pure NaCl brine, little research has been done on the actual desalination of seawater. This challenge arises because actual seawater is much more complex than sodium chloride brine .…”

Amphiphilic Janus patch-grafted hydrogels for salt-rejecting solar water desalination

“…Interfacial solar water evaporation has emerged as a reliable and sustainable seawater desalination technique to produce fresh water. [1][2][3][4][5] By managing photon management and localizing solar heat at the air/water interface, rather than heating the bulk water, solar harvesting is greatly enhanced and thermal loss is effectively suppressed. 6,7 Compared to other evaporator materials, such as covalent organic frameworks, 8,9 wood, 10,11 and textiles, [12][13][14] hydrogel evaporators have signicantly higher evaporation rates due to the interaction between polymers and water molecules, which activates the water and reduces its evaporation enthalpy.…”

Green Synthesis of Polyurethane Sponge-Grafted Calcium Alginate with Carbon Ink Aerogel with High Water Vapor Harvesting Capacity for Solar-Driven All-Weather Atmospheric Water Harvesting

“…This AWH method is less energy-consuming, green, and easily manipulative. , It is thus crucial to find appropriate materials that can achieve high photothermal conversion efficiencies. Currently, photothermal conversion materials are mainly categorized into carbon, polymer, semiconductor, and metal nanoparticle materials. − In particular, carbon-based materials have the advantages of spectral solar absorptive capacity and high-temperature stability, which make them important candidates for high photothermal conversion efficiency. However, graphene and carbon nanotubes are expensive, and high-temperature carbonized biochar materials are energy-consuming and environmentally unfriendly. , While, commercially available carbon inks are much cheaper, easier to use on a large scale, and environmentally friendly by comparison.…”