Laplace pressure-engineered triple-phase aerogels for salt-free and high-rate evaporation

Abstract

Solar interfacial water evaporation is a promising approach for freshwater production, yet its performance is fundamentally constrained by a trade-off: heat confinement demands minimal surface water, while salt removal requires abundant water supply. Most designs favor one aspect, sacrificing either evaporation rate or long-term stability. Here, we present an integrally synthesized triple-layered aerogel evaporator that overcomes this bottleneck. Distinct internal pore structures generate Laplace pressure gradients, precisely regulating water distribution and transport to form a stable solid–liquid–vapor triple-phase interface. This configuration simultaneously localizes heat, accelerates vapor generation, and continuously removes surface salt. As a result, the system achieves 3.67 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1-sun illumination and retains 100% performance over 50 h of continuous saline operation. Our design resolves the intrinsic efficiency–durability conflict, offering a robust and scalable platform for high-performance solar desalination.