Stable superhydrophobic interfacial solar evaporator based on CuS@CDs hybrid photothermal composites towards ultrahigh-efficiency seawater evaporation

Wanze Wu, Xinting Han and Xiao Gong

Applied Energy, 2024, vol. 375, issue C, No S030626192401482X

Abstract: Superhydrophobic evaporator driven by solar energy is very promising in seawater desalination. However, low evaporation rate and photothermal conversion efficiency have greatly limited its practical applications. Here, we report a stable superhydrophobic solar evaporator with excellent photothermal performance for efficient saline evaporation. Specifically, CuS@carbon dots (CDs) composites are synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal approach. Then the composites are combined with fluorocarbon resin (FEVE) and sprayed on melamine sponge surface to create hierarchical structure to construct a superhydrophobic solar evaporator. Its excellent photothermal properties result from the synergistic effect of CuS and CDs in the composites. The temperature of the evaporator upper surface can rise to 125 °C within 3 min, and the evaporator presents high solar-vapor conversion efficiency (77.3%) and water evaporation rate (1.76 kg∙m−2∙h−1) under 1.5 Sun. Excitingly, for saline, the evaporation rate remains little changed (1.71 kg∙m−2∙h−1). Even after 10 test cycles (300 min), the evaporation rate of saline water is still able to reach 1.40 kg∙m−2∙h−1. Furthermore, the evaporator keeps hydrophobic property after being continuously immersed in high-concentration saline for 40 days, exhibiting excellent salt resistance. The prepared superhydrophobic evaporator with excellent photothermal performance has great potential in the fields of seawater desalination and sewage treatment.

Keywords: Superhydrophobic; Solar evaporator; Photothermal; Seawater desalination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124099

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