1
|
Yan H, Wang P, Li L, Zhao Z, Xiang Y, Guo H, Yang B, Yang X, Li K, Li Y, He X, You Y. Development Status of Solar-Driven Interfacial Steam Generation Support Layer Based on Polymers and Biomaterials: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2427. [PMID: 39274060 PMCID: PMC11397863 DOI: 10.3390/polym16172427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 08/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024] Open
Abstract
With the increasing shortage of water resources and the aggravation of water pollution, solar-driven interfacial steam generation (SISG) technology has garnered considerable attention because of its low energy consumption, simple operation, and environmental friendliness. The popular multi-layer SISG evaporator is composed of two basic structures: a photothermal layer and a support layer. Herein, the support layer underlies the photothermal layer and carries out thermal management, supports the photothermal layer, and transports water to the evaporation interface to improve the stability of the evaporator. While most research focuses on the photothermal layer, the support layer is typically viewed as a supporting object for the photothermal layer. This review focuses on the support layer, which is relatively neglected in evaporator development. It summarizes existing progress in the field of multi-layer interface evaporators, based on various polymers and biomaterials, along with their advantages and disadvantages. Specifically, mainly polymer-based support layers are reviewed, including polymer foams, gels, and their corresponding functional materials, while biomaterial support layers, including natural plants, carbonized biomaterials, and other innovation biomaterials are not. Additionally, the corresponding structure design strategies for the support layer were also involved. It was found that the selection and optimal design of the substrate also played an important role in the efficient operation of the whole steam generation system. Their evolution and refinement are vital for advancing the sustainability and effectiveness of interfacial evaporation technology. The corresponding potential future research direction and application prospects of support layer materials are carefully presented to enable effective responses to global water challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haipeng Yan
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Pan Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Lingsha Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Zixin Zhao
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Yang Xiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Haoqian Guo
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Boli Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Xulin Yang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Kui Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Ying Li
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu 610106, China
| | - Xiaohong He
- School of Automation, Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Yong You
- Key Laboratory of General Chemistry of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ni A, Fu D, Lin P, Wang X, Xia Y, Han X, Zhang T. Eco-friendly photothermal hydrogel evaporator for efficient solar-driven water purification. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 647:344-353. [PMID: 37267797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.05.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The field of solar vapor generation has developed rapidly in recent years, but achieving the goals of a high evaporation rate, eco-friendliness and rapid preparation with low-cost raw materials is still a challenge. In this work, a type of photothermal hydrogel evaporator was prepared by blending eco-friendly poly(vinyl alcohol), agarose, Fe3+ and tannic acid (TA) together, in which the tannic acid-ferric ion (TA*Fe3+) complexes served as photothermal materials and effective gelators. The results indicate that the TA*Fe3+ complex exhibits excellent gelatinization ability and light-absorption performance, which leads to a compressive stress of 0.98 MPa at 80% strain and up to 85% light absorption ratio in the photothermal hydrogel. For interfacial evaporation, a high rate of 1.897 ± 0.11 kg·m-2·h-1 corresponding to an energy efficiency of 89.7 ± 2.73% under 1 sun irradiation is achieved. Moreover, the hydrogel evaporator exhibits high stability in a 12-hour test and a 20-cycle test without a decline in evaporation performance. The outdoor testing results show that the hydrogel evaporator can achieve an evaporation rate of > 0.70 kg/m2 and effectively purify wastewater treatment and seawater desalination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Ni
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Danni Fu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Peng Lin
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China.
| | - Xuemin Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Youyi Xia
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Xinya Han
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui 243002, China.
| |
Collapse
|