3D Printing a Biomimetic Bridge-Arch Solar Evaporator for Eliminating Salt Accumulation with Desalination and Agricultural Applications

Solar-driven water evaporation has been considered a sustainable method to obtain clean water through desalination. However, its further application is limited by the complicated preparation strategy, poor salt rejection, and durability. Herein, inspired by superfast water transportation of the Nepenthes alata peristome surface and continuous bridge-arch design in architecture, a biomimetic 3D bridge-arch solar evaporator is proposed to induce Marangoni flow for long-term salt rejection. The formed double-layer 3D liquid film on the evaporator is composed of a confined water film for water supplementation and a free-flowing water film with ultrafast directional Marangoni convection for salt rejection, which functions cooperatively to endow the 3D evaporator with all-in-one function including superior solar-driven water evaporation (1.64 kg m(-2) h(-1), 91% efficiency for pure water), efficient solar desalination, and long-term salt-rejecting property (continuous 200 h in 10 wt% saline water) without any post-cleaning treatment. The design principle of the 3D structures is provided for extending the application of Marangoni-driven salt rejection and the investigation of structure-design-induced liquid film control in the solar desalination field. Furthermore, excellent mechanical and chemical stability is proved, where a self-sustainable and solar-powered desalination-cultivation platform is developed, indicating promising application for agricultural cultivation.

Automated summary

The biomimetic 3D bridge-arch solar evaporator inspired by nature has shown great efficiency in long-term salt rejection without the need for post-cleaning treatment.