Robustly Inorganic Solar Steam Generator Derived from Hollow Glass Microspheres Based Composites for Desalination

Abstract

Solar steam generation (SSG) offers a clean and sustainable way to produce freshwater from seawater or polluted water by harvesting solar energy. However, it remains a great challenge to integrate all the desired functions in a single evaporation system by using low‐cost materials and simple methods. Herein, we report the design and fabrication of a novel inorganic solar steam evaporator (PPy‐HGMAM) through binding the building block of hollow glass microspheres (HGM) and pore‐forming material of melamine sponge (MS) with interconnection network structure by aluminum dihydrogen phosphate adhesive followed by coating of polypyrrole (PPy) as light absorption layer for efficient SSG. With the merits of high porosity, low thermal conductivity both in the wet (0.107 W m−1 k−1) and dry (0.056 W m−1 k−1) states, super‐hydrophilicity, and strong light absorption (92%), the as‐prepared porous PPy‐HGMAM shows high energy conversion efficiency (92.9%) and evaporation rate (1.56 kg m−2 h−1) under 1 sun (1 kW m−2) illumination, as well as excellent salt‐resistance performance. Combined with its high mechanical strength, self‐floating ability, environment‐friendly, and low cost, along with simple and scalable preparation method, our inorganic PPy‐HGMAM evaporator may hold the great potential for practical large‐scale application in SSG.

Polymethyl Methacrylate/Polypyrrole Porous Membranes Prepared by Breath Figure Method with Superior Salt Resistance for High‐Efficiency Interfacial Solar Evaporation

“…Interestingly, the concentrations of the four ions Na + , Mg 2+ , K +, and Ca 2+ in the purified simulated seawater(Figure 7D) were lowered to 1.136, 0.0674, 1.224, and 0.1908 mg L −1 , respectively, which are significantly below the World Health Organization's drinking water standard. [ 34 ]…”

Rational Design of a Hydrophilic Core–Hydrophobic Shell Yarn-Based Solar Evaporator with an Underwater Aerophilic Surface for Self-Floating and High-Performance Dynamic Water Purification

“…The CVCSF-750@CNTs show great reuse performance with an average evaporation rate of 2.01 kg m –2 h –1 in fresh water (Figure n) and 1.96 kg m –2 h –1 (Figure S22b) in seawater under 1 sun illumination. For comparison, the efficiency and the evaporation rate of current two-dimensional self-floating solar evaporators under 1 sun irradiation are shown in Figure o, ,,− and our CVCSF-750@CNTs exhibits one of the highest evaporation rates with efficient energy utilization.…”

Hollow glass microspheres modified polyurethane sponge with enhanced flame retardancy

“…HGM has a lot of internal voids and a lot of specific surface area, so it may provide a lot of reaction space for the creation of various kinds of functional materials. 19,20 It's become a very important new energy-saving, clean, and lightweight filler. 21 It has great advantages to introduce flame retardant elements and flame retardant chemicals into materials through physical methods.…”

“…The chemical properties are extremely stable and heat resistant. HGM has a lot of internal voids and a lot of specific surface area, so it may provide a lot of reaction space for the creation of various kinds of functional materials 19,20 . It's become a very important new energy‐saving, clean, and lightweight filler 21 .…”