Bu Yiming, Li Xin, Lei Weiwei, Yang Hongjun, Xu Weilin, Han Qi, Li Jingliang
Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia.
Key Laboratory of Green Processing and Functional New Textile Materials of Ministry of Education, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan, 430200, China.
Adv Sci (Weinh). 2024 Dec 25;12(7):e2412545. doi: 10.1002/advs.202412545.
Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) employed for seawater desalination and wastewater purification shows great promise to alleviate global freshwater scarcity. However, simultaneous optimization of water transfer direction in a cost-effective and reliable ISSG to balance thermal localization, salt accumulation, and resistance to oilfouling represents a rare feat. Herein, inspired by seabird beaks for unidirectional water transfer, eco-friendly and cost-effective plant extracts, sodium alginate, and tannic acid, are selected for crafting an innovative Sodium Alginate-Tannic Acid Hemispheric Evaporator (STHE). The STHE aligned with centripetally tapered channels ensures one-directional water flow and effectively inhibits downward heat transfer, thereby boosting energy efficiency. Additionally, the integration of one-way water supply in tapered channels with interfacial evaporation of STHE, mimicking plant transpiration, collaboratively facilitates upward water transfer for a reliable solar-driven water evaporation rate of ≈2.26 kg m h under one sun irradiation. Even in a brine of 15.0 wt % solution, no salt crystals are observed on the surface of STHE. Hemispheric structure and superhydrophilicity are conducive to oil repellence. This work provides pivotal inspiration for constructing next-generation solar generators of high-efficiency, salt-tolerance, and anti-oil-fouling.
用于海水淡化和废水净化的界面太阳能蒸汽发生器（ISSG）在缓解全球淡水短缺方面显示出巨大潜力。然而，在具有成本效益且可靠的ISSG中同时优化水的传输方向，以平衡热局部化、盐积累和抗油污性能，是一项罕见的成就。在此，受海鸟喙单向输水的启发，选择了环保且经济高效的植物提取物、海藻酸钠和单宁酸，用于制作创新的海藻酸钠-单宁酸半球形蒸发器（STHE）。与向心锥形通道对齐的STHE确保了水的单向流动，并有效抑制了向下的热传递，从而提高了能源效率。此外，锥形通道中的单向供水与STHE的界面蒸发相结合，模仿植物蒸腾作用，协同促进向上的水传输，在一个太阳辐射下实现了约2.26 kg m⁻² h⁻¹的可靠太阳能驱动水蒸发速率。即使在15.0 wt%溶液的盐水中，STHE表面也未观察到盐晶体。半球形结构和超亲水性有利于拒油。这项工作为构建下一代高效、耐盐和抗油污的太阳能发生器提供了关键灵感。
