Nano/microstructured materials for solar-driven interfacial evaporators towards water purification

Abstract

The scarcity of clean water is one of the most pervasive issues in human society. On-site extraction of clean water from seawater and wastewater is regarded as the most applicable scheme for meeting the growing demand. However, most conventional water purification technologies are generally considered energy or cost intensive. In recent years, the rapid development of solar-driven interfacial evaporation has injected new vitality into the field of clean water production. For interfacial evaporators, nano/microstructured materials are the core components to achieve nearly 100% energy efficiency through maximizing light harvesting, synergistically assisting water supply, and suppressing heat dissipation. In this review, the design and optimization guidelines of evaporators with ultrahigh performance are first explored from the perspective of nano/microstructured materials, including photothermal materials, functional water-replenishment substrates, and structural engineering strategies. Benefiting from the excellent characteristics of the introduced nano/microstructured materials, the applications of long-term salt rejection in seawater desalination and the separation of different contaminants in wastewater remediation were further presented. Finally, prospects and recommendations for the future development are proposed.