Environmentally Friendly and Efficient Hornet Nest Envelope-Based Photothermal Absorbers

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Global water shortage poses significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and climate stability.
• Seawater and sewage desalination are crucial for mitigating water stress.
• Developing efficient and sustainable desalination technologies is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a biomass-based photothermal absorber using hornet nest envelope material.
• To develop a solar-driven desalination isolation system for efficient water purification.
• To evaluate the performance of the hornet nest-based system for seawater desalination.

Main Methods:

• Utilized hornet nest envelope material to create a photothermal absorber.
• Integrated the absorber into a solar desalination isolation system.
• Measured evaporation rates and salt rejection efficiency under simulated solar irradiation.

Main Results:

• Achieved an evaporation rate of 3.98 kg m^-2 h^-1 under one-sun illumination.
• Sustained evaporation rates above 4 kg m^-2 h^-1 over extended periods.
• Demonstrated effective desalination of 3.5 wt % saltwater with an evaporation rate of 3.86 kg m^-2 h^-1 and high salt rejection.

Conclusions:

• Hornet nest envelope material is a promising natural resource for solar water treatment.
• The developed biomass-based photothermal absorber offers excellent evaporation efficiency and salt rejection.
• This approach presents a sustainable and cost-effective solution for solar water desalination applications.