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.

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

“…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.…”

Degradable and Recyclable Hydrogels for Sustainable Bioelectronics

“…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.…”