Asymmetric Cellulose/Carbon Nanotubes Membrane with Interconnected Pores Fabricated by Droplet Method for Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation and Desalination

Biomimic Design of Solar Steam Generation Devices Enabled by the Tannin-Iron Complex

Solar-powered steam generation equipment has experienced considerable advancement in recent years as it offers a cleaner and greener method for freshwater production. However, the devices always suffer from a complicated process, high cost, and salt accumulation, which hinder their further application. Here, inspired by the water lily, a highly efficient and antisalt accumulation interfacial solar-driven steam generation device was designed by using the tannic acid-Fe3+ complex as photothermal material. The designed evaporator could be quickly unfolded within 24 s after being irradiated with light and then produce fresh water. It folded within 10 s and then sank into water for removing the accumulated salt after removing the irradiation sources. In addition, the tannic acid-Fe3+ complex on the evaporator surface and the angle of the evaporator allowed light to be reflected several times within the evaporator, effectively increasing the solar energy conversion efficient (2.22 kg/(m2·h)), and apparently, the overall evaporation efficiency of 139.18% was achieved under 1 sun illumination. Moreover, it exhibited an extraordinary antisalt accumulation capacity (by working continuously for 7 days in 10 wt % saline water and 80% reduction in salt accumulation) as well as a low price ($ 1.11/m2). This design would provide a strategy to prepare an antisalt accumulation solar steam devices.

Advanced Membrane Technologies for Wastewater Treatment and Recycling

In the face of the ever-growing severe problem of water scarcity, wastewater reuse, recycling and resource recovery are increasingly recognized as crucial part of the solution [...].

Recent Development of Carbon-Nanotube-Based Solar Heat Absorption Devices and Their Application

Population growth and the current global weather patterns have heightened the need to optimize solar energy harvesting. Solar-powered water filtration, electricity generation, and water heating have gradually multiplied as viable sources of fresh water and power generation, especially for isolated places without access to water and energy. The unique thermal and optical characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) enable their use as efficient solar absorbers with enhanced overall photothermal conversion efficiency under varying solar light intensities. Due to their exceptional optical absorption efficiency, low cost, environmental friendliness, and natural carbon availability, CNTs have attracted intense scientific interest in the production of solar thermal systems. In this review study, we evaluated CNT-based water purification, thermoelectric generation, and water heating systems under varying solar levels of illumination, ranging from domestic applications to industrial usage. The use of CNT composites or multilayered structures is also reviewed in relation to solar heat absorber applications. An aerogel containing CNTs was able to ameliorate water filtering performance at low solar intensities. CNTs with a Fresnel lens improved thermoelectric output power at high solar intensity. Solar water heating devices utilizing a nanofluid composed of CNTs proved to be the most effective. In this review, we also aimed to identify the most relevant challenges and promising opportunities in relation to CNT-based solar thermal devices.