Recent Advances and Challenges of Metal‐Based Materials for Solar Steam Generation

Abstract

Global energy and environmental problems are becoming increasingly prominent, and the shortage of freshwater resources has been plaguing many countries and regions in the world. Solar steam generation (SSG) has emerged as a green, low‐cost and efficient strategy for freshwater production, which has attracted enormous attention in recent years. Furthermore, various photothermal materials and structural designs for the preparation of efficient SSG systems have been widely reported. Among them, metal‐based photothermal materials are abundant, and the exploration on metal‐based SSG systems is one of the important research directions. In this review, the basic concepts and design objectives of current metal‐based SSG systems are first introduced, as well as advances in the recent development of metal‐based photothermal materials, including photothermal mechanisms, and preparation methods. The evaluation criteria of the SSG system are further described. Then the development of metal‐based SSG systems is summarized in terms of structural design, functional modules (light absorption, thermal management, water transport, salt rejection, etc.), and potential applications (wastewater treatment, sterilization and other fields). Finally, the main challenges and future prospects of metal‐based SSG systems in basic research and practical applications are emphasized.

Magnetic Nanoparticle Cluster-Based 3D Solar Steam Generator with High Recyclability

“…This involves converting the absorbed photon energy into the lattice's vibrational energy, i.e., heat. 32 In addition to the photothermal properties, magnetic particles can form hierarchical spiny structures on a permanent magnetic, resulting in an increased surface area and an enhanced evaporation rate. However, the spiny structures previously reported were limited to the top of the permanent magnet (PM) due to the weak magnetic field on the side surface, thereby limiting the overall increase in surface area.…”

“…Upon light absorption, the excited electrons in the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles return to their ground state through nonradiative relaxation processes. This involves converting the absorbed photon energy into the lattice’s vibrational energy, i.e., heat . In addition to the photothermal properties, magnetic particles can form hierarchical spiny structures on a permanent magnetic, resulting in an increased surface area and an enhanced evaporation rate.…”

Dealloying-Derived Self-Supporting Nanoporous Zinc Film with Optimized Macro/Microstructure for High-Performance Solar Steam Generation

“…First, their structures are easily adjustable and dimensions can be precisely controlled to match the actual applications. 34 Second, metal-based materials have excellent optical properties. Noble metal-based plasmonics 35,36 have been extensively studied in this field for their unique surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect and intense visible and infrared (IR) plasmonic responses, which greatly overlap with the solar spectrum.…”

“…To improve the SSG performance of the system, various photothermal materials have been shown to achieve effective solar-to-vapor conversion, including polymers, − carbon-based materials, − narrow bandgap semiconductors, − and metals. − Among these options, metal-based materials offer the following unique advantages. First, their structures are easily adjustable and dimensions can be precisely controlled to match the actual applications . Second, metal-based materials have excellent optical properties.…”