Hydrogen-Bond-Repairing Solar Evaporator with Reconstructed Large-Width Channels for Durable Solarizing Seawater

Journal article, 2024

Conventional solarizing seawater suffers from inefficiency and space constraints. Interfacial solar vapor generation (ISVG) presents an energy-efficient alternative, yet the scalability, adaptability, and durability of a solar evaporator for practical use are remaining concerns. Herein, a hydrogen-bond-repairing solar evaporator featuring reconstructed large-width channels is proposed for ongoing solarization of seawater in ISVG. The polyacrylamide/trehalose/graphene hydrogel (PTGH) exhibits excellent mechanical properties and large-width salt discharge channels. PTGH achieves a notable water evaporation rate of 2.82 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun and remains effective even in low-temperature environments. The large-area PTGH is able to continuously operate for solarizing seawater under different conditions, until raw brine is highly concentrated, and eventually solid salt is separated from water. Compared to conventional solarizing seawater, PTGH can save 66.67%-75% of time or land to obtain the same amount of solid salt.