Electrospun Cadmium Selenide Nanoparticles-Loaded Cellulose Acetate Fibers for Solar Thermal Application

Abstract

<jats:p>Solar thermal techniques provide a promising method for the direct conversion of solar energy to thermal energy for applications, such as water desalination. To effectively realize the optimal potential of solar thermal conversion, it is desirable to construct an assembly with localized heating. Specifically, photoactive semiconducting nanoparticles, when utilized as independent light absorbers, have successfully demonstrated the ability to increase solar vapor efficiency. Additionally, bio-based fibers have shown low thermal conductive photocorrosion. In this work, cellulose acetate (CA) fibers were loaded with cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles to be employed for solar thermal conversion and then subsequently evaluated for both their resulting morphology and conversion potential and efficiency. Electrospinning was employed to fabricate the CdSe-loaded CA fibers by adjusting the CA/CdSe ratio for increased solar conversion efficiency. The microstructural and chemical composition of the CdSe-loaded CA fibers were characterized. Additionally, the optical sunlight absorption performance was evaluated, and it was demonstrated that the CdSe nanoparticles-loaded CA fibers have the potential to significantly improve solar energy absorption. The photothermal conversion under 1 sun (100 mW/cm2) demonstrated that the CdSe nanoparticles could increase the temperature up to 43 °C. The CdSe-loaded CA fibers were shown as a feasible and promising hybrid material for achieving efficient solar thermal conversion.</jats:p>

Sonochemical Synthesis, Characterization and Optical Properties of Tb-Doped CdSe Nanoparticles: Synergistic Effect between Photocatalysis and Sonocatalysis

“…The specimens diffraction peaks are indexed readily to pure characteristic well-crystallized hexagonal CdSe ((No. 08-0549, a = 0.4299 nm, space group P63mc, and c = 0.7010 nm) [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. There was no peak revealing impurities, which confirmed the effectiveness of the sonochemical route to synthesize the preferred specimens.…”

Recent progress in cellulose-based electrospun nanofibers as multifunctional materials

“…It was attributed to the more uniform distribution of the electrolyte within the electrospun membranes in contact with the electrode interface. At the same time, electrospun CA nanofibers loaded with thermal conductive cadmium selenide nanoparticles displayed high solar-thermal conversion potential and efficiency, which reached 40 °C under the 1 sun (100 mW/cm 2 ) illumination 72 .…”

“…It was attributed to the more uniform distribution of the electrolyte within the electrospun membranes in contact with the electrode interface. At the same time, electrospun CA nanofibers loaded with thermal conductive cadmium selenide nanoparticles displayed high solar-thermal conversion potential and efficiency, which reached 40 °C under the 1 sun (100 mW/cm 2 ) illumination72 .Besides water treatment, electrospun nanofibers were also applied for air purification73 . With the aim of toluene (volatile organic compound) adsorption, CNCs were filled in electrospun polyamide 6 nanofibers to improve adsorption efficiency and mechanical strength, owing to their high hydrophilicity, large active surface area, and crystalline structure74 .…”

“…The existence of CA reduced the roughness and contact angle of nanofibers, allowing an easier and free drainage pathway. Also, CA was proved to strengthen the entire matrix, which is a prominent property of water collectors.Electrospun cellulose nanofibers have played a role in energy conservation, such as dye-sensitized solar cells71 and solar thermal applications72 . Electrospun CA and deacetylated CA nanofibers were used as electrolyte membranes in the dyesensitized solar cells, which showed higher open circuit voltages (780 ± 10 mV and 780 ± 10 mV) compared to the reference cell (771 ± 9 mV)71 .…”

Electrospun Nanomaterials: Applications in Food, Environmental Remediation, and Bioengineering

“…In regard to the application of these nanomaterials to the food field, the implementation of electrospinning in food packaging is thoroughly revised in Zhao et al (2020) [ 22 ], which also includes a summary of the additional characteristics provided by functional food packaging materials, degradability, superhydrophobicity, edibility, antibacterial activity and high barrier protection, as well as the contribution of electrospun nanofibers to their development. In terms of environmental remediation, this topic is tackled by two research articles that converge on the green/sustainable generation of energy by improving two different applications (i.e., microbial fuel cells [ 23 ] and solar thermal techniques [ 24 ]) using electrospun nanofibers.…”