3D micro-lattice structural hydrogel evaporator with super salt resistance for solar desalination of high-salinity

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2024-12, Vol.502, p.158019, Article 158019
• Main Authors: Li, Xiangqin, Liu, Wenning, Men, Geyang, Liu, Yichang, An, Li, Qu, Dan, Wang, Xiayan, Sun, Zaicheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D micro lattice diamond cell; 3D printing; Hydrogel; Salt resistance; Solar evaporation device
• ISSN: 1385-8947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.158019

[Display omitted] •A 3D micro lattice diamond structural solar evaporation device is designed and fabricated via 3D printing technology.•It shows rapid evaporation rates of 4.5 and 3.8 kg m−2 h−1 for pure water and 20 wt% salinity, respectively.•It exhibits exceptional salt resistance due to continuous water transportation channels and short salt diffusion routes. The production of freshwater from seawater via solar energy is currently a hot research topic. Nonetheless, the accumulation of salt on the evaporator’s surface during the evaporation process significantly impedes both the rate and efficiency of water evaporation. Consequently, there is an urgent necessity to ingeniously design the evaporator structure in order to mitigate salt precipitation, marking a critical challenge in device engineering. This study presents a pioneering 3D micro-lattice structural hydrogel evaporator, meticulously crafted utilizing state-of-the-art 3D printing technology, tailored expressly for the solar desalination of highly saline waters. Its hierarchical porous architecture amplifies water transportation and light absorption capabilities, concurrently enabling swift relocation of salt ions away from the evaporative surface, thereby thwarting salt buildup. Remarkably, the hydrogel preserves its structural robustness amidst high-concentration brine environments and fosters proficient heat concentration at the air–water interface, yielding freshwater output rates surpassing 3.5 kg m−2 h−1 even under stringent conditions of 20 wt% NaCl solutions, exhibiting unparalleled performance and durability across multiple operational cycles. This research paves the way for sustainable and efficient solar desalination systems, showcasing the potential of micro-lattice structures in hydrogels for enhanced salt rejection and improved water recovery rates in challenging environments.