Rattan-Based Solar Evaporator Hits 3.34 Kg·M^-2·h^-1 and Long-Term Salt Resistance via Programmed Carbonization.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Global water scarcity necessitates innovative and sustainable water purification technologies.
• Biomass-derived materials offer a renewable and eco-friendly alternative for advanced applications.
• Solar evaporation is a promising technology for decentralized freshwater production.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance solar evaporator from renewable biomass.
• To engineer porous structures for enhanced water transport and vaporization efficiency.
• To assess the durability and freshwater production capacity of the solar evaporator under real-world conditions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing rattan, a renewable biomass, as the base material.
• Applying an innovative programmed carbonization process with controlled gradient heating.
• Engineering bimodal hierarchical porous structures for optimized performance.
• Conducting continuous outdoor evaporation tests with high-salinity brine and evaluating water quality.

Main Results:

• Achieved a record solar evaporation rate of 3.34 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1 sun, 1.69 times faster than unprogrammed carbonization.
• Demonstrated exceptional durability over 14 days of continuous outdoor evaporation in 20 wt.% NaCl brine.
• Produced approximately 24.49 L of fresh water daily with quality meeting World Health Organization (WHO) drinking standards.
• Prevented salt accumulation and microbial growth on the evaporator surface.

Conclusions:

• The programmed carbonization of rattan biomass yields a highly efficient and durable solar evaporator.
• This sustainable technology offers a scalable solution for freshwater generation, particularly for off-grid communities.
• The use of abundant, renewable plant materials and solar energy presents an eco-friendly approach to address water scarcity.