A Low-Cost 3D Spherical Evaporator with Unique Surface Topology and Inner Structure for Solar Water Evaporation-Assisted Dye Wastewater Treatment

Solar steam generation and adsorption, as promising technologies to tackle water pollution, have gained increasing research interest in recent years. In this paper, 3D spherical carbonized platanus fruit with special surface topology and inner interconnected porous structure is used as a superior solar evaporator and an adsorbent for dye removal with easy separation from treated water. The dual-functional material with single component is prepared by a simply carbonizing biowaste platanus fruit. A high evaporation rate up to 2.00 kg m(-2) h(-1) under one sun is achieved by 3D spherical evaporator. 3D evaporator also presents outstanding water evaporation under low light intensity, angle-independent water evaporation, and long-term cycling stability. Importantly, high-capacity dye adsorption and generation of purified water are simultaneously achieved with the assistance of solar-driven evaporation under one sun. Thus, the monolithic, dual-functional 3D material with a simple preparation process, low cost, mechanical robustness, and environmental friendliness has great potential for solar steam generation and solar water evaporation-assisted adsorption. This study proposes a simple route to design 3D solar evaporators with surface topology and innovatively provides a high-efficiency method for tackling water pollution.

Automated summary

This study introduces a novel approach using carbonized platanus fruit waste to produce a 3D spherical evaporator, achieving efficient solar steam generation and dye removal adsorption simultaneously, leading to the production of purified water.