Journal
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Volume 10, Issue 3, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107522
Keywords
Electrospinning; Gas-foaming; Thermal insulation; Heat localization; Solar steam generation
Categories
Funding
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [51903217, 51901147]
- National Science Foundation [1804757]
- Jiangsu Overseas Research & Training Program for University Prominent Young & Middle-aged Teachers and Presidents
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science, Technology (NANO-CIC)
- Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD)
- Directorate For Engineering [1804757] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys [1804757] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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This study presents a self-floating Janus evaporator that enhances energy localization and thermal insulation. By utilizing gas foaming polyacrylonitrile nanofibers and depositing polypyrrole, the evaporator is able to continuously produce drinking water from brine using solar energy. The design also provides a fresh idea to enhance the thermal insulation and mechanical stability of conventional electrospinning-based fiber scaffolds.
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is regarded as one of the most promising technologies to address the critical issue of global water scarcity. However, a great deal of energy is lost via conduction during the interfacial evaporation process. Herein, a self-floating Janus evaporator containing micron-sized isolated bubbles that can enhance heat localization is designed. The evaporator is synthesized by gas foaming polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers and subsequently depositing polypyrrole (PPy). The hydrophilic PAN nanofiber layer on the bottom of the evaporator with abundant macropores can continuously pump water upward through the capillary force. The hydrophobic PAN@PPy composite nanofiber layer on the top possesses a broadband solar absorption property, converting solar irradiation to heat efficiently. The low thermal conductivity of the isolated micron-sized bubbles enhances the thermal insulation of the obtained PAN foam@PPy Janus evaporator, while the stretching and expanding of the nanofibers induced by the bubbles contribute to its increased mechanical stability. This work offers a simple route to fabricate evaporators that can continuously produce drinking water from brine under sunlight, and provides a fresh idea to enhance the thermal insulation and mechanical properties of the conventional electrospinning-based fiber scaffold.
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