Simultaneous Solar‐driven Steam and Electricity Generation by Cost‐effective, Easy Scale‐up MnO₂‐based Flexible Membranes

Abstract

Harvesting solar energy in an effective manner for steam and electricity generation is a promising technique to simultaneously cope with the energy and water crises. However, the construction of efficient and easy scale‐up photothermal materials for steam and electricity cogeneration remains challenging. Herein, we report a facile and cost‐effective strategy to prepare MnO2‐decorated cotton cloth (MCx). The wide adsorption spectrum and excellent photothermal conversion ability of the in situ‐formed MnO2 nanoparticles make the MCx to be advanced photothermal materials. Consequently, the hybrid device integrated with MCx as the photothermal layer and the thermoelectric (TE) module for electricity power conversion exhibits an extremely high evaporation rate of 2.24 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 kW m−2 irradiation, which is ranked among the most powerful solar evaporators. More importantly, during solar evaporation, the hybrid device produces an open‐circuit voltage of 0.3 V and a power output of 1.6 W m−2 under 3 Sun irradiation, and outperforms most of the previously reported solar‐driven electricity generation devices. Therefore, the integrated device with synergistic solar‐thermal utilization opens up a green way toward simultaneous solar vapor and electric power generation in remote and resource‐constrained areas.

Controllable synthesis of N/Co-doped carbon from metal–organic frameworks for integrated solar vapor generation and advanced oxidation processes

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] Compared with the traditional bottom or volumetric conguration, interfacial heating that connes heat to the water surface can achieve lower heat loss and higher conversion efficiency. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Importantly, the combination of interfacial solar evaporation with photocatalytic degradation technology provides a hopeful strategy to simultaneously produce freshwater and remove organic pollutants in the mother liquor. [30][31][32][33] As a typical example, Hao et al proposed a bifunctional cotton fabric by the in situ polymerization of pyrrole and the deposition of TiO 2 on cotton, exhibiting an evaporation rate of 1.55 kg m À2 h À1 and a methyl orange degradation efficiency of 96% under one sun irradiation.…”

“One stone two birds” or “you can't have your cake and eat it too”? Effects of device dimensions and position of the thermoelectric module on simultaneous solar-driven water evaporation and thermoelectric generation

“…In addition to using solar energy to obtain clean water, TE energy generation through the Seebeck effect is also another important application. 35,39,41,43 It is worth noting that a temperature difference is formed between the surface of the PCM and the bulk water during water evaporation. This temperature difference enables the system to generate TE power based on the Seebeck effect.…”

Freshwater–electricity co-generation in solar-driven water desalination: an effective approach toward the water–energy nexus

“…1e. [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] The device was also operated continuously for 6 h in the dark followed by 6 h in constant light (1 sun) to study the long-term light dependence. Although the evaporation rate jumps to 1.9 kg m −2 h −1 on illumination from the dark value, the V OC does not show any signicant change from its maximum value for the entire measurement duration of 12 h (Fig.…”