3D bridge-arch-structured dual-side evaporator for practical, all-weather water harvesting and desalination†
Abstract
Environmentally friendly solar-driven evaporation shows great potential for desalination. However, conventional solar-driven evaporation in high-salinity brine results in low water purification efficiency due to salt accumulation on the evaporator surface. Additionally, the total water yield performance is further reduced in the absence of sunlight, significantly limiting its practical applications. To overcome these challenges, we proposed a highly efficient 3D bridge-arch-structured dual-side evaporator composed of Cu/CuO-polypyrrole for all-weather water harvesting and desalination via solar thermal and Joule heating. Our design results in an indoor evaporation rate of 4.10 kg m−2 h−1 during the daytime under one sun and 6.50 kg m−2 h−1via Joule heating with a small voltage of 1.9 V during the nighttime. In addition, the designed evaporator results in a high evaporation rate of 3.60 kg m−2 h−1 in a water reservoir containing 10 wt% brine. At a practical level, the designed 3D evaporator achieved a high outdoor water yield rate of 10.69 kg m−2 day−1. This performance represents a major step towards the commercialization of all-weather water harvesting and desalination.
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