Volcano-Inspired Dual-Carbon Network Aerogel for High-Performance Solar Evaporation With Edge-Directed Salt...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Global freshwater scarcity necessitates sustainable and energy-efficient desalination technologies.
• Conventional desalination methods often face challenges with energy consumption and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance solar desalination system using a novel dual-carbon-network aerogel (CFCA).
• To integrate hierarchical fluidic channels and multiscale thermal management for enhanced water purification.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a volcano-inspired dual-carbon-network aerogel (CFCA) with hierarchical porous structures and a carbon-fiber shell.
• Utilizing conical geometry for radial temperature gradients and Marangoni convection.
• Investigating photothermal conversion, water transport, and salt crystallization mechanisms.

Main Results:

• The CFCA achieved an ultrahigh evaporation rate of 4.08 kg m^-2 h^-1 and 95.8% solar-to-vapor efficiency under 1 sun.
• Demonstrated sustained performance in 20 wt.% brine and 3.5 wt.% saline water over seven days.
• Enabled spontaneous salt expulsion and edge-localized crystallization without blocking the photothermal surface.

Conclusions:

• The developed CFCA provides an efficient and scalable solution for solar-driven water purification.
• The design strategy integrates photothermal conversion, guided mass transport, and recoverable salt crystallization.
• This approach contributes to addressing freshwater shortages and facilitating salt resource recycling.