2025-09-18 中国科学院(CAS)
Illustration of real-world application scheme of the photo-electrothermal interfacial evaporation system with PPY-CNTs-PDA@BF evaporator. (Image by XTIPC)
＜関連情報＞
- https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/phys/202509/t20250919_1055046.shtml
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1383586625035130
全天候型汽水浄化のためのヤヌス親水性勾配構造を備えた、新規かつ持続可能な玄武岩繊維ベースの光電熱蒸発器 A novel and sustainable basalt fabric-based photo-electrothermal evaporator with Janus hydrophilic gradient structure for all-weather actual brackish water purification
Ying-Lin He, Zhuo Chen, Dilibinuer Niyazimaimaiti, Yuan Fan, Rimeh Ismail, Abudukeremu Kadier, Chantaraporn Phalakornkule, Putu Teta Prihartini Aryanti, Ghizlane Achagri, Peng-Cheng Ma
Separation and Purification Technology Available online: 27 August 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2025.134916
Highlights
- A novel photo-electrothermal evaporator was fabricated for all-weather brackish water desalination.
- Actual brackish water samples were collected from Ebinur Lake to verify performance.
- PPY-CNTs-PDA@BF exhibited a maximum evaporation rate of 4.43 kg m−2 h−1 at 1 sun and 1.5 V.
- Janus hydrophilic gradient structure demonstrated superior stability and salt tolerance performance.
- The desalinated water quality greatly surpassed the WHO drinking water standards.
Abstract
To address global freshwater scarcity, developing a sustainable and efficient brackish/high salinity water desalination technology is crucial. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) systems typically consist of a water-absorbing layer drawing water via capillary action to the interface and a photothermal conversion layer absorbing sunlight to heat the interface. Researchers have focused primarily on designing various photothermal materials to enhance heat generation and evaporation efficiency, while they often overlook the need for all-weather functionality, limiting further advancement of SIE systems. This study introduces a novel basalt fabric-based photo-electrothermal interfacial evaporator for all-weather efficient desalination, integrating photothermal and electrothermal effects to enhance evaporation rates and reduce reliance on sunlight. The basalt fabric is functionalized with polydopamine, carbon nanotubes, and polypyrrole to improve its photothermal properties, and stainless steel mesh 304 is used as an electrothermal layer. Under simulated sunlight (1 sun) and 1.5 V in the laboratory, the evaporation rate of actual brackish water can reach 4.43 kg m−2 h−1; under real sunlight and 1.5 V outdoors, the evaporation rate can reach up to 6.37 kg m−2 h−1. Additionally, due to the well-designed multilayer structure with Janus hydrophilicity gradient distribution, the evaporator exhibits excellent salt resistance and long-term stability, maintaining a daytime evaporation rate above 2.17 kg m−2 h−1 during 120-hour continuous operation without any intervention. The purified water meets the drinking water standards set by the WHO, with significant reductions in ion concentrations and chemical oxygen demand. This study provides a promising approach for efficient and sustainable brackish water purification, offering potential applications in water-scarce regions.
