Nature-inspired sustainable solar evaporators for seawater desalination

Song, Xiang; Jia, Lianghao; Wei, Zhengen; Xiang, Tao; Zhou, Shaobing

doi:10.1039/d3ta05941c

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 131 publications

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“…The key to promote interfacial solar steam evaporation is high absorption of solar energy, conversion to heat on the evaporative surface, and adequate water transportation to complete liquid–gas phase transformation. , A series of ingeniously designed optimization measures have been adopted to improve solar evaporation performance, such as water transport channels [one-dimensional (1D), two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D)], materials (substrate materials, such as biomass materials, , polymer materials, and membranes materials; photothermal conversion materials, such as carbon materials, − plasmonic metal, and semiconductor), wettability, 3D structure, and hybrid devices . However, in the actual seawater purification process, as the evaporation rate increases, the salt concentration reaches saturation and salt crystals gradually precipitate and accumulate on the evaporator surface, blocking the water channel and reducing light absorption.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biopolymer Hydrogel-Based Salt-Resistant Evaporator for Solar-Energy-Driven Desalination and Water Purification

Zhu,

Chen,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Langmuir

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Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) has recently received much attention as a low-carbon-footprint and high-energy-efficient strategy for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. However, achieving the goals of a high evaporation rate, ecofriendliness, and high tolerance to salt ions in brine remains a bottleneck. Herein, a novel hydrogel-based evaporator for effective solar desalination was synthesized on the basis of sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) incorporating a carbon nanotube (CNT)-wrapped melamine sponge (MS) through a simple dipping–drying–cross-linking process. The hydrogel-based evaporator reaches a high evaporation rate of 2.18 kg m–2 h–1 in 3.5 wt % brine under 1 sun irradiation. Furthermore, it demonstrated excellent salt ion rejection in high-concentration salt water. Simultaneously, it exhibits excellent purification functionality toward heavy metals and organic dyes. This study provides a simple and efficient strategy for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biopolymer Hydrogel-Based Salt-Resistant Evaporator for Solar-Energy-Driven Desalination and Water Purification

Zhu,

Chen,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Langmuir

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“…Materials used in the manufacture of flexible electronic devices and products rely on polymers and related compounds, which are mainly derived from petrochemical products. About 6% of the petroleum produced globally has been used to synthesize polymers, but the raw materials involved and the end-of-life disposal suffer from serious environmental problems. , According to the keyword search in the Web of Science database, the number of papers published on “Flexible bioelectronic” and “Sustainable flexible bioelectronic” has increased over the last 10 years (Figure A). However, the percentage of “Sustainable flexible bioelectronic” only grows from ca.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradable and Recyclable Hydrogels for Sustainable Bioelectronics

Jia,

Li,

Ren

et al. 2024

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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Hydrogel bioelectronics has been widely used in wearable sensors, electronic skin, human-machine interfaces, and implantable tissue-electrode interfaces, providing great convenience for human health, safety, and education. The generation of electronic waste from bioelectronic devices jeopardizes human health and the natural environment. The development of degradable and recyclable hydrogels is recognized as a paradigm for realizing the next generation of environmentally friendly and sustainable bioelectronics. This review first summarizes the wide range of applications for bioelectronics, including wearable and implantable devices. Then, the employment of natural and synthetic polymers in hydrogel bioelectronics is discussed in terms of degradability and recyclability. Finally, this work provides constructive thoughts and perspectives on the current challenges toward hydrogel bioelectronics, providing valuable insights and guidance for the future evolution of sustainable hydrogel bioelectronics.

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Photo-Fenton-Active MIL-88A/CNT-Based PVA Hydrogel for Solar-Driven Water Evaporation and Simultaneous Volatile Organic Compound Removal

Rathore,

Bera

2024

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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Solar-driven interfacial water evaporation (SIWE) has emerged as a promising avenue for cost-effective freshwater production from seawater or wastewater. However, the simultaneous evaporation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) presents a limitation for the widespread implementation of this technique. Thus, developing dual-functional evaporators capable of both desalining seawater and degrading VOCs is challenging. Herein, we fabricated an iron-based metal–organic framework MIL-88A/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (MCH) evaporator via the conventional freezing method for solar-driven seawater desalination and simultaneous photo-Fenton VOC degradation. Because of the superior photothermal conversion capability of CNTs, reduced thermal conductivity and water evaporation enthalpy within the hydrogel, and the photo-Fenton activity of rod-shaped MIL-88A, the MCH evaporator exhibits a higher evaporation rate of 2.26 kg m–2 h–1 under 1 sun illumination with simultaneous VOC degradation. The higher hydrophilicity and vertical channels in the MCH evaporator enable its self-salt cleaning ability, facilitating consistent seawater desalination, even in high salt concentrations up to 10 wt %. The synergistic effects of localized heating from CNTs and hydrogen peroxide activation through reactive sites of MIL-88A allow the MCH evaporator to degrade more than 93% of the added phenol during evaporation. This work presents a sustainable and efficient approach for solar-driven seawater desalination, offering simultaneous VOC degradation.

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Nature-inspired sustainable solar evaporators for seawater desalination

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the preparation, application and role of biomimetic structures in solar evaporators with improved evaporation rate and lifetime.

Cited by 3 publications

References 131 publications

Biopolymer Hydrogel-Based Salt-Resistant Evaporator for Solar-Energy-Driven Desalination and Water Purification

Biopolymer Hydrogel-Based Salt-Resistant Evaporator for Solar-Energy-Driven Desalination and Water Purification

Degradable and Recyclable Hydrogels for Sustainable Bioelectronics

Photo-Fenton-Active MIL-88A/CNT-Based PVA Hydrogel for Solar-Driven Water Evaporation and Simultaneous Volatile Organic Compound Removal

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