4.6 Review

Nature-inspired sustainable solar evaporators for seawater desalination

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ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES (2022)

Article Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Solar-Driven Evaporators with Thin-Film-Composite Architecture Inspired by Plant Roots for Treating Concentrated Nano-/Submicrometer Emulsions

Shao-Lin Wu et al.

Summary: Researchers propose a novel solar-driven evaporator with thin-film composite architecture and large-pore sponge to tackle the challenge of purifying nano-sized and concentrated emulsions, achieving high-efficiency oil/water separation.

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES (2022)

Article Engineering, Chemical

Interfacial solar evaporation based on Janus films: An effective strategy to improve salt tolerance and antifouling performance

Fengyuan Wang et al.

Summary: This article reviews the recent advances and challenges in solar-driven interfacial evaporation based on Janus films, highlighting the advantages and purification ability of Janus film-interface solar evaporators. It provides a comprehensive summary of common basic structures, materials used, and the multi-media purification function of Janus membranes. Moreover, it identifies three main challenges currently faced in this field.

DESALINATION (2022)

Article Polymer Science

Semicrystalline polymer networks with a swelling-enhanced water-triggered two-way shape-memory effect for programmable deformation and smart actuation

Tao Xiang et al.

Summary: Two-way shape-memory polymers (2W-SMPs) have attracted attention for their potential applications in smart actuators, soft robotics, and artificial muscles. This work proposes a facile fabrication method for water-triggered 2W-SMPs using a one-step free radical polymerization approach, demonstrating programmable and reversible shape-memory effects.

POLYMER CHEMISTRY (2022)

Review Chemistry, Physical

Aerogels in passive solar thermal desalination: a review

Masoud Rastgar et al.

Summary: Driven by renewable energy, solar-thermal technology shows potential for effective freshwater production. However, it suffers from energy loss and salt accumulation. Aerogels, with their open pores and thermal insulation properties, offer a solution to these challenges. This review highlights the recent progress in aerogel-based solar evaporators for pure water production, discussing their characteristics, challenges, and future opportunities.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2022)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Hierarchical cactus-like microsphere network membranes engineered via multiple polyphenol-mediated complexation for efficient solar-powered water purification

Xueting Zhao et al.

Summary: The new photothermal membranes with tailored hierarchical cactus-like microsphere networks exhibit bi-continuous, superwetting, and photothermal functional features, playing critical roles in balancing solar-to-thermal and water-to-steam conversion.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

An interfacial floating tumbler with a penetrable structure and Janus wettability inspired by Pistia stratiotes

Yifan Yang et al.

Summary: Designing advanced interfacial materials is crucial for improving multiphase systems. Inspired by the floatability of Pistia stratiotes, the authors present a superhydrophobic/hydrophilic 3D Janus floater with water managing ability. The self-regulated floatation mechanism and water removal logic of this floater provide insights into the development of multifunctional interfacial carriers in fields such as micro-devices and solar evaporation.

MATERIALS HORIZONS (2022)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Bioinspired hierarchical evaporator via cell wall engineering for highly efficient and sustainable solar desalination

Haotian Zhang et al.

Summary: A hierarchical photothermal aerogel inspired by plant structures was developed as a solar evaporator for desalination. The microchannel structure and nanospikes of the aerogel allow for efficient evaporation and resistance to salt deposition, making it suitable for sustainable off-grid solar desalination.

ECOMAT (2022)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

A bioinspired solar evaporator with a horizontal channel-like framework for efficient and stable high-salinity brine desalination

Shuqian Zhang et al.

Summary: Solar steam generation has become one of the most promising and sustainable techniques for water desalination. In this study, solar evaporators with a horizontal channel-like framework were developed, achieving high evaporation efficiency and outstanding salt resistance.

NANOSCALE (2022)

Article Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

Simulation-Guided Design of Bamboo Leaf-Derived Carbon-Based High-Efficiency Evaporator for Solar-Driven Interface Water Evaporation

Yitian Wu et al.

Summary: A bamboo leaf-derived carbon-based evaporator is designed and manufactured, which shows excellent light absorption and water evaporation performance. The device based on this evaporator can achieve seawater desalination and other applications with high efficiency.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS (2022)

Article Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Diatom-Inspired TiO2-PANi-Decorated Bilayer Photothermal Foam for Solar-Driven Clean Water Generation

Jiefeng Pan et al.

Summary: Interfacial solar-driven evaporation technology utilizes advanced photothermal materials to extract vapor from various water sources powered by solar energy. Inspired by diatoms, a novel photothermal material with a diatom-like hierarchical nanostructure has been proposed for solar-driven clean water generation, showing high efficiency in steam generation and photocatalytic degradation.

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Biomimetic Hybridization of Janus-like Graphene Oxide into Hierarchical Porous Hydrogels for Improved Mechanical Properties and Efficient Solar Desalination Devices

Cheng Ma et al.

Summary: This study demonstrates the assembly of light-absorbing hydrogels with a spongy structure and high toughness through strong interfacial interactions, enabling efficient solar-driven water evaporation. The hybrid hydrogel-based solar evaporator shows a high evaporation rate and efficiency, providing a new pathway for scalable and processable solar water purification devices.

ACS NANO (2021)

Article Chemistry, Applied

Flower-inspired bionic sodium alginate hydrogel evaporator enhancing solar desalination performance

Changkun Liu et al.

Summary: This study successfully prepared a flower-inspired bionic evaporator, which showed excellent evaporation rate and effective suppression of salt crystallization phenomenon. The 3D flower-shaped configuration of hydrogel tubes increased the effective evaporation area and accelerated the evaporation process.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2021)

Article Engineering, Environmental

A nature-inspired suspended solar evaporator for water desalination of high-salinity brines

Yu-Qiong Luo et al.

Summary: Inspired by water strider, researchers have demonstrated a new type of solar evaporator with a hydrophobic frame, a hydrophilic solar absorber, and a heat-insulation layer, enabling stable suspension just underneath water surface and achieving salt-resistance and efficient energy utilization. High evaporation rates are achieved in highly concentrated salt solutions without salt accumulation, providing great opportunities in solar-based water desalination and treatment.

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (2021)

Article Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

A Nature-Inspired Monolithic Integrated Cellulose Aerogel-Based Evaporator for Efficient Solar Desalination

Kuankuan Liu et al.

Summary: This study presents a high-performance floatable and robust cellulose aerogel-based evaporator, MiCAE, fabricated by carefully designing and integrating three functional components through heterogeneous mixing and freeze-drying aerogel fabrication process. Inspired by woods and mushrooms, MiCAE combines heat localization and suppression of heat dissipation with rapid water transportation and great salt excretion capability, offering an efficient salt-resistance solution for seawater desalination.

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES (2021)

Article Chemistry, Applied

Metal-phenolic network coated cellulose foams for solar-driven clean water production

Yuan Zou et al.

Summary: Solar-driven water steam generation technology shows great potential for seawater desalination and wastewater purification. A metal-phenolic network-coated cellulose foam was developed, demonstrating high water evaporation rate and anti-oil-fouling ability. The foam's superb hydrophilicity and underwater lipophobicity enable efficient water steam generation even in oil-polluted seawater.

CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Designing a next generation solar crystallizer for real seawater brine treatment with zero liquid discharge

Chenlin Zhang et al.

Summary: Proper disposal of industrial brine remains a critical environmental challenge. The authors propose a new strategy using a solar crystallizer and a salt crystallization inhibitor to provide a low-cost and sustainable solution for industrial brine disposal with zero liquid discharge.

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS (2021)

Article Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Bioinspired Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Janus Composites for Highly Efficient Solar Steam Generation

Zhen Qin et al.

Summary: A bioinspired hydrophilic-hydrophobic Janus hybrid system was constructed for efficient solar steam generation and water evaporation, with the added benefit of effective sewage purification.

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Hierarchically Designed Salt-Resistant Solar Evaporator Based on Donnan Effect for Stable and High-Performance Brine Treatment

Wei Zhao et al.

Summary: The study demonstrates a salt-resistant solar evaporator design which minimizes salt accumulation issues through the Donnan effect, enabling stable treatment of high-salinity brine.

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Side Area-Assisted 3D Evaporator with Antibiofouling Function for Ultra-Efficient Solar Steam Generation

Haoxuan Li et al.

Summary: This study explores a novel SISG system to address water shortages, improving the evaporation rate and the lifespan of the evaporator. The system utilizes the solar absorber's photothermal conversion and generation of reactive oxygen species to prevent bacterial growth, enhancing the longevity of the evaporator.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

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

Miaomiao Zou et al.

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.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Rational Design of a High Performance and Robust Solar Evaporator via 3D-Printing Technology

Sourav Chaule et al.

Summary: This study addresses the issues of heat loss and salt accumulation in sea water desalination using the broad-band solar spectrum, with two cost-effective approaches. The design of a concave shaped supporter by 3D-printing and the use of a double layered photoabsorber significantly improve the efficiency and stability of the solar evaporator.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2021)

Article Chemistry, Physical

High performance carbonized corncob-based 3D solar vapor steam generator enhanced by environmental energy

Yang Sun et al.

Summary: Research has shown that carbonized corncob can be effective in generating steam using solar energy, overcoming salt deposition issues, and providing inspiration for future applications in this field.

CARBON (2021)

Article Engineering, Chemical

A floating solar still inspired by continuous root water intake

Siliang Chen et al.

Summary: The paper introduces a bionic floating solar still inspired by water intake of plant roots, achieving low heat losses, water-absorbing uniformity, and structural stability. The experimental prototype in Xingtai, China, showed high evaporation temperature and daily freshwater yield. CFD simulation was used to investigate the effect of rolling motion on humid air flow inside the still.

DESALINATION (2021)

Article Energy & Fuels

A simple, flexible, and porous polypyrrole-wax gourd evaporator with excellent light absorption for efficient solar steam generation

Yuanlu Xu et al.

Summary: This study introduces a solar evaporation enhancement technology using a polypyrrole-wax gourd biomass evaporator with advantages such as superhydrophilic wettability, microporous channels, and high light absorption ability. The evaporator shows superior vapor generation capacity, stability, and durability under long-term usage and harsh conditions, along with outstanding wastewater purification and desalination performance. It offers a new strategy for developing novel biomass thermal evaporators for clean water production.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH (2021)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Enhancing solar steam generation using a highly thermally conductive evaporator support

Yida Wang et al.

Summary: Interfacial solar steam generation is an efficient water evaporation technology with promising applications. Current designs using thermal-insulation support may hinder energy extraction in 3D evaporators. By using thermally conductive material instead of a thermal insulator, higher evaporation rates can be achieved.

SCIENCE BULLETIN (2021)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Bamboo fiber-reinforced chitosan sponge as a robust photothermal evaporator for efficient solar vapor generation

Xisheng Sun et al.

Summary: A low-cost and long-term stable sponge evaporator was designed by combining carbonized pomelo peel particles, chitosan, and bamboo fibers, achieving efficient solar vapor generation. The interactive macroporous architecture and excellent CPP solar absorbers contribute to the high water evaporation rate and energy conversion efficiency. This green material-based evaporator can work in harsh water environments and be reutilized and transformed into the soil, showing potential for developing durable and recyclable solar evaporators.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2021)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Robust superhydrophilic attapulgite-based aligned aerogels for highly efficient and stable solar steam generation in harsh environments

Liang Song et al.

Summary: In this study, a high-content attapulgite-based aerogel with high mechanical strength was successfully prepared by chemically/physically cross-linking nano-fibrillated cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, and glutaraldehyde. The aerogels exhibited a three-dimensional macroporous structure, low thermal conductivity, and excellent light absorption ability, showing great potential for solar-driven evaporation and desalination applications in harsh environments.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2021)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Seawater desalination derived entirely from ocean biomass

Xiaojie Liu et al.

Summary: Solar-driven interfacial evaporation using a full ocean biomass-based evaporator composed of chitosan hydrogel and cuttlefish ink shows promising prospects for seawater desalination, with high evaporation rates achieved under solar irradiation. This environmentally friendly and sustainable evaporator offers a new possibility for efficient and stable solar evaporation with guaranteed water quality.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Sustainable off-grid desalination of hypersaline waters using Janus wood evaporators

Xi Chen et al.

Summary: A sustainable Janus wood evaporator has been developed to address the challenges of salt accumulation on solar absorbers in solar-thermal evaporation, achieving high evaporation efficiencies in hypersaline water. This evaporator features asymmetric surface wettability with hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers, showcasing persistent salt-resistance and superior thermal insulation. A life cycle assessment suggests that the Janus wood evaporator offers a functional and more sustainable option for off-grid desalination and humanitarian efforts.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (2021)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

The bionic sunflower: a bio-inspired autonomous light tracking photocatalytic system

Jingjing Qin et al.

Summary: This work proposes a novel photocatalytic concept to boost any traditional photocatalytic reaction by optimally using the solar energy from the sun's passage.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (2021)

Article Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Hydrophilic 3D Interconnected Network of Bacterial Nanocellulose/Black Titania Photothermal Foams as an Efficient Interfacial Solar Evaporator

Kallayi Nabeela et al.

Summary: A sustainable bacterial nanocellulose (BNC)-based self-floating bilayer photothermal foam (PTFb) is designed to effectively confine solar light for efficient freshwater production, with a top solar-harvesting blackbody layer and a bottom layer of pristine BNC. The BNC-supported BT foam shows high water evaporation efficiency and scalable water production rate, addressing global concerns of drinking water scarcity.

ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS (2021)

Article Chemistry, Physical

A bio-inspired, hierarchically porous structure with a decoupled fluidic transportation and evaporative pathway toward high-performance evaporation†

Jianguo Li et al.

Summary: Inspired by the fast-growing reeds' natural water transport and evaporation process, we developed a high-performance evaporator by modifying the reed's structure through chemical delignification. The modified hierarchically porous structure of the delignified reed enables fast fluidic transport and efficient evaporation, with significantly higher fluidic transport velocity and evaporation rate compared to natural reeds, delignified wood, and commercial polyester. This evaporator design based on delignified reed structure has the potential for a wide range of applications, including evaporating ethanol or sterilant, adjusting indoor humidity and temperature, producing clean water, and harvesting evaporation-driven energy.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2021)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Salt-mediated triple shape-memory ionic conductive polyampholyte hydrogel for wearable flexible electronics

Shanshan Wu et al.

Summary: The supramolecular polyampholyte hydrogel designed in this study exhibits salt-mediated triple shape-memory effect, high ionic conductivity, high stretchability, and self-healing property, making it suitable for applications as shape-memory sensor and strain sensor, capable of detecting concentration changes in saline solutions and human activities.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2021)

Article Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Biomimetic artificial water channel membranes for enhanced desalination

Maria Di Vincenzo et al.

Summary: Inspired by biological proteins, artificial water channels (AWCs) can enhance the performance of traditional desalination membranes, providing a more efficient method for selective water transport in seawater desalination. By incorporating AWCs in composite polyamide, these biomimetic membranes exhibit high water-to-salt permeability under high pressure, suitable for seawater desalination, with a rejection rate of 99.5% for NaCl or 91.4% for boron.

NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY (2021)

Article Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

3D-Structured Carbonized Sunflower Heads for Improved Energy Efficiency in Solar Steam Generation

Peng Sun et al.

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES (2020)

Review Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Biomimetic micro/nano structures for biomedical applications

Tao Xiang et al.

NANO TODAY (2020)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Topology-Controlled Hydration of Polymer Network in Hydrogels for Solar-Driven Wastewater Treatment

Xingyi Zhou et al.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2020)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

A High-Performance Self-Regenerating Solar Evaporator for Continuous Water Desalination

Yudi Kuang et al.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2019)

Article Engineering, Biomedical

Thermal insulation design bioinspired by microstructure study of penguin feather and polar bear hair

Sara Metwally et al.

ACTA BIOMATERIALIA (2019)

Article Thermodynamics

Performance analysis of a thermal-driven tubular direct contact membrane distillation system

Abdellah Shafieian et al.

APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING (2019)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Femtosecond laser induced robust Ti foam based evaporator for efficient solar desalination

Kai Yin et al.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2019)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Freeze-Casting Produces a Graphene Oxide Aerogel with a Radial and Centrosymmetric Structure

Chunhui Wang et al.

ACS NANO (2018)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Bioinspired Synthesis of Monolithic and Layered Aerogels

Xiao Han et al.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2018)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

A hydrogel-based antifouling solar evaporator for highly efficient water desalination

Xingyi Zhou et al.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (2018)

Article Chemistry, Physical

Bioinspired foam with large 3D macropores for efficient solar steam generation

Wentao Zhang et al.

JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A (2018)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

A Microstructured Graphene/Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Membrane for Intelligent Solar Water Evaporation

Panpan Zhang et al.

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION (2018)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Mushrooms as Efficient Solar Steam-Generation Devices

Ning Xu et al.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2017)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Biomimetic Supramolecular Polymer Networks Exhibiting both Toughness and Self-Recovery

Ji Liu et al.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2017)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Four billion people facing severe water scarcity

Mesfin M. Mekonnen et al.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2016)

Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Bioinspired Engineering of Thermal Materials

Peng Tao et al.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (2015)

Article Plant Sciences

Universality of phloem transport in seed plants

Kare Hartvig Jensen et al.

PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT (2012)

Review Engineering, Chemical

Reverse osmosis technology for water treatment: State of the art review

Lilian Malaeb et al.

DESALINATION (2011)

Review Forestry

Salt tolerance mechanisms in mangroves: a review

Asish Kumar Parida et al.

TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION (2010)

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Surface tension transport of prey by feeding shorebirds:: The capillary ratchet

Manu Prakash et al.

SCIENCE (2008)