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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 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.
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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
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Liu Y, Ma M, Shen Y, Zhao Z, Wang X, Wang J, Pan J, Wang D, Wang C, Li J. Polyhedral Oligomeric Sesquioxane Cross-Linked Chitosan-Based Multi-Effective Aerogel Preparation and Its Water-Driven Recovery Mechanism. Gels 2024; 10:279. [PMID: 38667698 PMCID: PMC11049377 DOI: 10.3390/gels10040279] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The use of environmentally friendly and non-toxic biomass-based interfacial solar water evaporators has been widely reported as a method for water purification in recent years. However, the poor stability of the water transport layer made from biomass materials and its susceptibility to deformation when exposed to harsh environments limit its practical application. To address this issue, water-driven recovery aerogel (PCS) was prepared by cross-linking epoxy-based polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (EP-POSS) epoxy groups with chitosan (CS) amino groups. The results demonstrate that PCS exhibits excellent water-driven recovery performance, regaining its original volume within a very short time (1.9 s) after strong compression (ε > 80%). Moreover, PCS has a water absorption rate of 2.67 mm s-1 and exhibits an excellent water absorption capacity of 22.09 g g-1 even after ten cycles of absorption-removal. Furthermore, a photothermal evaporator (PCH) was prepared by loading the top layer with hydrothermally reacted tannins (HAs) and Zn2+ complexes. The results indicate that PCH achieves an impressive evaporation rate of 1.89 kg m-2 h-1 under one sun illumination. Additionally, due to the antimicrobial properties of Zn2+, PCH shows inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, thereby extending the application of solar water evaporators to include antimicrobial purification in natural waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Mingjian Ma
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yuan Shen
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Zhengdong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xuefei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jiaqi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jiangbo Pan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Di Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Chengyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Based Material Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; (Y.L.); (M.M.); (Y.S.); (Z.Z.); (X.W.); (J.W.); (J.P.); (C.W.); (J.L.)
- College of Material Science and Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
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Xue Q, Xiao P, Gu J, Wang W, Yan L, Chen T. Superhydrophobic sand evaporator with core-shell structure for long-term salt-resistant solar desalination. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 253:121290. [PMID: 38367377 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Solar-driven water evaporation, as an environmentally benign pathway, provides an opportunity for alleviating global clean water scarcity. However, the rapidly generated interfacial steam and localized heating could cause increased salt concentration and accumulation, deteriorating the evaporation performance and long-term stability. Herein, a novel superhydrophobic sand solar (FPPSD) evaporator with a core-shell structure was proposed through interface functionalization for continuous photothermal desalination. The collective behavior essence of the sand aggregate gave itself micron-scale self-organized pores and configurable shapes, generating desirable capillary force and supplying effective water-pumping channels. More importantly, combining the dopamine, polypyrrole (PPy), and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTS) through π-π conjugation and multiple hydrogen bonding effects gave the FPPSD evaporator with stable superhydrophobic property and highly efficient photothermal conversion capability. Therefore, the FPPSD evaporator showed a continuous and stable photothermal performance even after 96 h continuous evaporation under 3-sun irradiation for 10 wt% saline solution, among the best values in the reported works of literature, demonstrating its excellent salt-resistance stability. Furthermore, this novel FPPSD evaporator displayed outstanding environmental stability that kept its initial water transport capacity even after being treated under harsh conditions for 30 days. With excellent salt-resistance ability and stable environmental stability, the FPPSD evaporator will provide an attractive platform for sustainable solar-driven water management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyang Xue
- School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Peng Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Jincui Gu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Ningbo 315201, China.
| | - Wenqin Wang
- School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China.
| | - Luke Yan
- Polymer Materials & Engineering Department, School of Materials Science & Engineering, Chang' an University, Xi'an 710064, China
| | - Tao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Material Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Ningbo 315201, China.
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Chen C, Xiong L, Zhang X, Tian K, Dai Z, Fu Q, Deng H. Gradient heating induced better balance among water transportation, salt resistance and heat supply in a high performance multi-functional solar-thermal desalination device. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:5161-5176. [PMID: 37712534 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh01105d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Solar-driven desalination (SDD) is a promising technology for addressing water scarcity. However, how to overcome the trade-off between water transportation and heat supply of the evaporator to achieve a high evaporation rate and good salt tolerance simultaneously remains a challenge. Here, a novel all-in-one multi-functional SDD evaporator undergoing gradient heating is used. This evaporator incorporates a hydrophilic PDA (polydopamine)@CNT(carbon nanotube)/PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) aerogel with vertically aligned structures as the water evaporation layer, enabling rapid water transportation. Surrounding the evaporation layer, there is a photothermal hydrophobic CCP (cotton/CNT/polydimethylsiloxane) film that serves as the heating layer, enhancing the heat supply to the evaporation layer. This innovative design strikes a favorable balance between water transportation and heat supply, facilitating high evaporation rates and good salt tolerance simultaneously, while also maximizing electricity generation. Due to the wettability difference between the evaporation layer (PVA aerogel) and heating layer (CCP film), a record stable temperature gradient of nearly 70 °C was formed between the CCP film and the PVA aerogel under 1 sun irradiation, so that heat on the high-temperature CCP film was continuously transferred to the low-temperature aerogel through its thermal conductive network, leading to a high evaporation rate of 6.96 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun irradiation in 5.0 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) brine (higher than the world average seawater salinity (3.5 wt%)). Meanwhile, high flux directional flow of brine generated 130 mV stable voltage and 120 μA circuit current. Furthermore, the evaporator illustrates good stability for consecutive 7 days of testing and shows industry-leading comprehensive performance of SDD in actual use. More importantly, it was tested in real Bohai seawater under weak natural light, and fresh water generated can meet the recommended daily intake of water for 2.6 households and the simultaneously generated voltage reaches above 60 mV. In addition, the evaporator exhibits good adsorption capacity for heavy metals and dye molecules. This simple and universal solar evaporation structure is suitable for the assembly of gradient thermal structures for most solar thermal materials reported in the literature, which provides a new route for maximizing the use of solar energy for freshwater and electricity generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanliang Chen
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Lianhu Xiong
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Xuezhong Zhang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Ke Tian
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Zijian Dai
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Qiang Fu
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Hua Deng
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
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