3D-Printed Architected Anisotropic Channels for Ultrafast Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation via Localized Thermal...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation demands optimized photon absorption, heat confinement, and water delivery.
• Current directional evaporators often lack materials-level anisotropy to precisely control photon-phonon-water coupling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a 3D-printed anisotropic channel architecture (a-BTCG) that integrates directional geometry with aligned nanomaterials for enhanced solar evaporation.
• To investigate the co-engineered transport framework for improved photon absorption, heat localization, and water transport.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a 3D-printed anisotropic channel architecture (a-BTCG) with aligned Ti3O5 nanoparticles, boron nitride (BN) nanosheets, and chitosan.
• Characterization of the material's optical, thermal, and water transport properties.
• Performance testing under simulated solar irradiation (1 sun) with varying salinity (20 wt.% NaCl).

Main Results:

• The a-BTCG achieved a high evaporation rate of 5.43 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and maintained stable performance for over 200 hours in 20 wt.% NaCl.
• Demonstrated fast water flux (1.13 × 10⁻² µm³ s⁻¹) and enhanced in-plane thermal conductivity (2.73 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹).
• Aligned BN facilitated phonon-guided heat pathways, Ti3O5-BN hybrids improved broadband absorption, and chitosan ensured salt resistance and efficient water delivery.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully engineered structural and materials-level anisotropy in a solar evaporator, overcoming conventional trade-offs.
• 3D printing-assisted alignment engineering offers a promising approach for high-performance solar evaporators.
• The developed platform provides a versatile solution for advanced desalination and environmental thermal management.