Highly efficient self-floating jellyfish-like solar steam generators based on the partially carbonized Enteromorpha aerogel

Solar steam generation (SSG) is a very promising desalination technology. However, new photothermal materials are still to be explored to further reduce the cost, and the device structure is still to be inno-vated to improve the structural integrality and evaporation performance. In this work, an all-in-one highly-efficient and self-floating jellyfish-like SSG (SFJ-SSG) is developed based on partially carbonized Enteromorpha (EA) aerogel (PCEAA). The carbonized top surface exhibits high solar absorption ability and excellent photothermal effect, while the uncarbonized EA retains the hydrophilicity and high-water transport capability due to the nature of tubular algal plant. Moreover, the heat produced by pho-tothermal effect of the carbonized EA is confined at the top surface due to the thermal insulation of the uncarbonized layer, which is very beneficial for interfacial water evaporation. After optimizing the car-bonization time and the height of the SFJ-SSG, a high evaporation rate of 1.87 kg m-2h-1 is obtained under 1.0 sun irradiation, which outcompetes most SSG based on carbonized biomass. The development of SFJ-SSG based on EA not only minimizes the cost of SSG, but also solves the EA pollution, ensuring the broad prospect in practical applications.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study develops an efficient and self-floating jellyfish-like solar steam generation device using partially carbonized Enteromorpha aerogel. The carbonized surface exhibits high solar absorption and excellent photothermal effect, while the uncarbonized Enteromorpha retains its hydrophilicity and high-water transport capability. By optimizing the carbonization time and height of the device, a high evaporation rate is achieved, surpassing most SSG based on carbonized biomass. This development not only reduces the cost of solar steam generation but also addresses the issue of Enteromorpha pollution.