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DOE OSTI · 1566616

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation

Tao, Peng·Ni, George·Song, Chengyi·Shang, Wen·Wu, Jianbo·Zhu, Jia·Chen, Gang·Deng, Tao
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Abstract

As a ubiquitous solar-thermal energy conversion process, solar-driven evaporation has attracted tremendous research attention owing to its high conversion efficiency of solar energy and transformative industrial potential. In recent years, solar-driven interfacial evaporation by localization of solar-thermal energy conversion to the air/liquid interface has been proposed as a promising alternative to conventional bulk heating-based evaporation, potentially reducing thermal losses and improving energy conversion efficiency. In this Review, we discuss the development of the key components for achieving high-performance evaporation, including solar absorbers, evaporation structures, thermal insulators and thermal concentrators, and discuss how they improve the performance of the solar-driven interfacial evaporation system. We describe the possibilities for applying this efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation process for energy conversion applications. The exciting opportunities and challenges in both fundamental research and practical implementation of the solar-driven interfacial evaporation process are also discussed.

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charge transportdefectsmaterials and chemistry by designmechanical behavioropticsphononssolar (photovoltaic)solar (thermal)solid state lightingspin dynamicssynthesis (novel materials)synthesis (scalable processing)synthesis (self-assembly)thermal conductivitythermoelectric

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Tao, Peng, Ni, George, Song, Chengyi, Shang, Wen, Wu, Jianbo, Zhu, Jia, Chen, Gang, Deng, Tao. 2018-11-05. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-018-0260-7

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