Micro–Nano Water Film Enabled High-Performance Interfacial Solar Evaporation

• Published in: Nano-micro letters 2023-12, Vol.15 (1), p.214-214, Article 214
• Main Authors: Yu, Zhen, Su, Yuqing, Gu, Ruonan, Wu, Wei, Li, Yangxi, Cheng, Shaoan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial neural networks; Condensates; Contact angle; Desalination; Drinking water; Efficiency; Energy consumption; Engineering; Evaporation rate; Evaporators; Heat loss; Hydrogels; Interfacial solar evaporation; Localization; Micro–nano water film; Morphology; Nanoscale Science and Technology; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Neural networks; Polydimethylsiloxane; Polypyrroles; PPy sponge; Prediction models; Solar desalination; Sun; Water film; Water shortages; Water treatment and desalination
• ISSN: 2311-6706; 2150-5551
• DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01191-6

Highlights Micro–nano water film enhanced interfacial solar evaporator enables a high evaporation rate of 2.18 kg m −2  h −1 under 1 sun. An outdoor device with an enhanced condensation design demonstrates a high water production rate of 15.9–19.4 kg kW −1  h −1  m −2 . A multi-objective predictive model is established to assess outdoor water production performance. Interfacial solar evaporation holds great promise to address the freshwater shortage. However, most interfacial solar evaporators are always filled with water throughout the evaporation process, thus bringing unavoidable heat loss. Herein, we propose a novel interfacial evaporation structure based on the micro–nano water film, which demonstrates significantly improved evaporation performance, as experimentally verified by polypyrrole- and polydopamine-coated polydimethylsiloxane sponge. The 2D evaporator based on the as-prepared sponge realizes an enhanced evaporation rate of 2.18 kg m −2  h −1 under 1 sun by fine-tuning the interfacial micro–nano water film. Then, a homemade device with an enhanced condensation function is engineered for outdoor clean water production. Throughout a continuous test for 40 days, this device demonstrates a high water production rate (WPR) of 15.9–19.4 kg kW −1  h −1  m −2 . Based on the outdoor outcomes, we further establish a multi-objective model to assess the global WPR. It is predicted that a 1 m 2 device can produce at most 7.8 kg of clean water per day, which could meet the daily drinking water needs of 3 people. Finally, this technology could greatly alleviate the current water and energy crisis through further large-scale applications.