Highly efficient water steam generation via natural black urushiol-Fe polymeric microspheres coated-cotton fabric

Solar steam generated by interfacial evaporation model was a sustainable method to desalinate seawater and purify sewage water. Exploitation and utilization of natural resources to synthesize photothermal materials with broad absorption spectrum have great significance. In this paper, a bio-based photothermal modified fabric was fabricated by self-assembly of urushiol-ferrous chelated polymeric spheres on cotton fabric. The photothermal steam generator was fabricated using the hydrophobic photothermal fabric as the photothermal layer and a hollow cylindrical PE sponge as the insulation layer, which also provided an interfacially isolated space for escape of steam. Under 1.0 sun illumination, this solar-driven steam generator showed an outstanding evaporation rate (1.49 kg m(-2) h(-1)), with a high photothermal conversion efficiency (91.72 %), which was 3.04 times that of pure water. The purification of seawater and treatment of heavy ions in sewage and organic dye containing wastewaters could be achieved successfully using the solar photothermal conversion system. In addition, the photothermal fabric showed day and night response behavior, converting salt crystals, and solving the problem of salt crystallization that leads to blocking of steam channels. Thus, the photothermal steam generator with perfect performance had great application prospects in seawater desalination and sewage treatment under extreme conditions.

Automated summary

In this study, a bio-based photothermal modified fabric was developed and used to fabricate a solar-driven steam generator. The generator showed excellent evaporation rate and photothermal conversion efficiency, making it suitable for seawater desalination and sewage treatment. Additionally, the photothermal fabric resolved the issue of salt crystallization blocking the steam channels.