A scalable, eco-friendly, and ultrafast solar steam generator fabricated using evolutional 3D printing. Issue 15 (9th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Suyuan; Huang, Shaolong; Ming, Yan; Long, Yaojia; Liang, Huawei; Ruan, Shuangchen; Zeng, Yu-Jia; Cui, Hongzhi
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 15(2021)
• Page Start: 9909
• Page End: 9917
• Publication Date: 2021-04-09
• Subjects: Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ta00674f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7488

Abstract

Abstract : A 3D-printed solar steam evaporator with microporous capillary channels is reported, which exhibits eco-friendliness, ultrafast solar steam generation, and superior outstanding antifouling properties. Abstract : Solar steam generation is an emerging technique that harvests intermittent sustainable solar energy for large-scale wastewater purification and desalination. However, the application of solar steam generators is currently restricted by their high cost and low solar-thermal conversion efficiency. Herein, we demonstrate a highly efficient, portable, low cost and reusable interfacial solar evaporator fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing technology. Using cues from nature, the 3D-printed honeycomb lightweight evaporators are designed to have microporous capillary channels, which facilitate water transportation for continuous solar steam generation. The graphene coating on the surface enables efficient solar-to-vapor energy transfer, and a thermally insulating photopolymer suppresses heat loss. The optimized 3D-printed solar evaporator thus has a rapid evaporation rate of 2.67 kg m −2 h −1 (normalized to the projection area) and a high apparent solar-to-heat efficiency of 178.5% under 1 sun irradiation. The device shows outstanding antifouling properties and hence has wide application prospects for long-term domestic wastewater reduction and desalination of high-salinity brine.