Flexible graphene oxide/mixed cellulose ester films for electricity generation and solar desalination. (25th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hou, Baofei; Kong, Denan; Chen, Zihe; Shi, Zhuoxun; Cheng, Haiyan; Guo, Dong dong; Wang, Xianbao
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 163(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-25
• Subjects: Graphene oxide -- Photothermal conversion -- Electricity generation -- Water evaporation -- Solar desalination; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.114322
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Graphical abstract: A dual function device was developed and the device can not only constantly export power density of 20.5 μW cm −3 with the evaporation of water, but also can adequately harvest energy to perform solar desalination. Highlights: A graphene oxide film were used for electricity generation and solar desalination. An output power density of 20.5 μW cm −3 was obtained through solar water evaporation. The device is applied to solar desalination with a steam rate of 1.3 kg m −2 h −1 . Abstract: Converting ambient thermal energy into electricity, a promising strategy for energy regeneration, has aroused enormous interest of researchers and technologists in eliminating the obstacle of energy shortage. However, traditional technologies used to generate electricity are not capable to efficiently settle green power supply and conversion, suffering from complicated preparation processes and high-cost materials, and largely hinder their practical applications. Here, a simple device of graphene oxide/mixed cellulose ester films was fabricated for solar water evaporation through photothermal conversion to electricity generation. The well-designed device can not only convert solar energy into electricity, but also make full use of the photothermal effect of graphing oxide for solar desalination. As a result, the device successfully not only reduces the cost of material and avoids the complex processes, but also can constantly export a power density of 20.5 μW cm −3 with the evaporation of water under a light intensity of 1 kW m −2 . This study supplies a low-cost, flexible device, improving the utilization efficiency of environmental energy and increasing the possibility of practical applications.