Designing a bioinspired synthetic tree by unidirectional freezing for simultaneous solar steam generation and salt collection. Issue 1 (6th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shao, Yang; Tang, Jiebin; Li, Ningbo; Sun, Tianyu; Yang, Liping; Chen, Duo; Zhi, Hui; Wang, Dejuan; Liu, Hong; Xue, Guobin
• Is Part Of: EcoMat. Volume 2:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-02-06
• Subjects: bioinspired synthetic tree -- salt collection -- solar steam generation; Materials -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Clean energy -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/eom2.12018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2567-3173

Abstract

Abstract: Solar steam generation with thermal localization was recently proposed for highly efficient solar‐thermal desalination. However, to achieve high steam productivity with long term stability remains a critical challenge due to salt accumulation at the evaporation surface. Here, we designed a T‐shaped synthetic tree that could simultaneously achieve high steam productivity and salt collection with the structure characteristics of interfacial thermal evaporation, ambient energy harvesting and edge‐preferential crystallizing. Under 1 sun, the synthetic tree exhibited a steady water evaporation rate of 2.03 kg m −2 hours −1 over 60 hours, achieving solar thermal efficiency of 75%. Salt was continuously rejected at the edge of the evaporator with a steady collection rate of 59.879 g m −2 hours −1, which did not affect water evaporation. This new design principle to simultaneously harvest water and salt provides a new avenue for solar energy utilization. Abstract : T‐shaped synthetic tree that could simultaneously achieve high steam productivity and salt collection with the structure characteristics of interfacial thermal evaporation, ambient energy harvesting and edge‐preferential crystallizing was designed. Under 1 sun, the synthetic tree exhibited a steady water evaporation rate of 2.03 kg m −2 h −1 and salt collection rate of 59.879 g m −2 h −1 over 60 h, with solar‐thermal efficiency of 75%.