Volcanic relationship between wettability of the interface and water migration rate in solar steam generation systems

Materials for evaporation‐driven hydrovoltaic technology

“…In fact, excessive hydroxyl groups can not only promote the adsorption of water molecules at the same time but also inhibit the desorption of water molecules and reduce the evaporation rate of water. [ 105 ] Therefore, further studies are needed to figure out how surface functional groups work in EHDs.…”

Selective Deposition of Candle Soot on a Cellulose Membrane for Efficient Solar Evaporation

“…Therefore, developing inexpensive and efficient methods for wastewater treatment is highly desirable. , Numerous techniques such as vapor compression, multiple-effect distillation, and reverse osmosis , have been established to alleviate the freshwater shortage. However, these techniques demand either a high electrical consumption or complex supporting/installation structures, thereby hindering their applicability, particularly for the off-grid communities and the developing regions. ,, Solar distillation has emerged as a potential alternative owing to the fact that it utilizes the eco-friendly, cost-free, and sustainable source of energy for eliminating the impurities from the contaminated or sea water. − Accordingly, the relevant technology has rapidly transited from the traditional ways of vaporizing the bulk water via optical concentrators or volumetric solar absorbers toward the realization of low-cost and efficient interfacial solar vapor generators. − In principle, an interfacial solar vapor generator transforms the solar energy to heat and confines it at the evaporation surface wherein a suitable amount of water supply maximizes the vaporization rate. , Therefore, the performance of such devices mainly depends on four key factors: (i) photothermal conversion, (ii) heat localization at the evaporation surface, (iii) effective capillary action for the controlled water transport, and (iv) water evaporation. − In this regard, a variety of innovative photothermal materials such as plasmonic nanoparticles, organic polymers, and semiconducting, functional, and biomass materials have been employed as per their individual appealing characteristics. ,− However, carbon is the most widely studied material for solar vapor generation owing to its natural abundance and excellent light to heat conversion capability. Consequently, it has been widely investigated in both natural and synthetic forms such as beads, nanotubes, exfoliated graphite, porous graphene, and vitreous foams for solar vapor generation. ,− …”