Refractory plasmonic material based floating solar still for simultaneous desalination and electricity generation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Floating solar evaporation is a promising freshwater production method, but faces challenges like heat localization and salt accumulation.
• Developing sustainable and efficient solar desalination technologies is crucial for addressing global water scarcity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a plasmonic titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticle-based floating solar desalination system.
• To optimize freshwater output and assess the system's performance under real-world conditions.
• To explore the potential for cost-effective water production and thermoelectricity generation.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a floating solar still utilizing titanium carbide (TiC) nanoparticles derived from upcycled tire waste.
• Optimization of still components for enhanced freshwater output.
• Outdoor experimental validation in Halifax, Canada, measuring solar insolation and water yield.

Main Results:

• Achieved daily water yields of up to 3.67 L m⁻² with a solar-to-vapor conversion efficiency of 40%.
• Demonstrated cost-effective water production at $0.0086 L⁻¹.
• Showcased the system's potential for thermoelectricity generation for onboard water quality testing.

Conclusions:

• The TiC nanoparticle-based floating solar still offers a scalable and sustainable solution for freshwater production.
• The system's efficiency, low cost, and dual-functionality (water and electricity) present significant advantages for water-stressed communities.
• Upcycling tire waste into TiC nanoparticles provides an eco-friendly approach to materials for solar desalination.