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Solar-trackable super-wicking black metal panel for photothermal water sanitation

Author

Listed:
  • Subhash C. Singh

    (University of Rochester)

  • Mohamed ElKabbash

    (University of Rochester)

  • Zilong Li

    (University of Rochester)

  • Xiaohan Li

    (University of Rochester)

  • Bhabesh Regmi

    (University of Rochester)

  • Matthew Madsen

    (University of Rochester)

  • Sohail A. Jalil

    (University of Rochester)

  • Zhibing Zhan

    (University of Rochester)

  • Jihua Zhang

    (University of Rochester)

  • Chunlei Guo

    (University of Rochester)

Abstract

Solar-based water sanitation is an environmentally friendly process for obtaining clean water that requires efficient light-to-heat-to-vapour generation. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation has potential, but the inability to control interfacial evaporators for solar tracking limits efficiency at large solar zenith angles and when using optical concentration. Furthermore, clogging affects the efficiency of the device. Here, we create a super-wicking and super-light-absorbing (SWSA) aluminium surface for efficient solar-based water sanitation. The measured evaporation rate exceeds that of an ideal device operating at 100% efficiency, which we hypothesize resulted from a reduced enthalpy of vaporization within the microcapillaries. Limited solar absorber–water contact for water transport minimizes heat losses to bulk water and maximizes heat localization at the SWSA surface. The device can be mounted at any angle on a floating platform to optimize incident solar irradiance and can readily be integrated with commercial solar-thermal systems. With a design that is analogous to bifacial photovoltaic solar panels, we show a 150% increase in efficiency compared with a single-sided SWSA. Given the open capillary channels, the device surface can be easily cleaned and reused. Using the SWSA surface to purify contaminated water, we show a decrease in the level of contaminants to well below the WHO and EPA standards for drinkable water.

Suggested Citation

  • Subhash C. Singh & Mohamed ElKabbash & Zilong Li & Xiaohan Li & Bhabesh Regmi & Matthew Madsen & Sohail A. Jalil & Zhibing Zhan & Jihua Zhang & Chunlei Guo, 2020. "Solar-trackable super-wicking black metal panel for photothermal water sanitation," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(11), pages 938-946, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:3:y:2020:i:11:d:10.1038_s41893-020-0566-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-0566-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guerrero-Lemus, R. & Vega, R. & Kim, Taehyeon & Kimm, Amy & Shephard, L.E., 2016. "Bifacial solar photovoltaics – A technology review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1533-1549.
    2. Wang, Xinzhi & He, Yurong & Liu, Xing & Cheng, Gong & Zhu, Jiaqi, 2017. "Solar steam generation through bio-inspired interface heating of broadband-absorbing plasmonic membranes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 414-425.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gan Huang & Jingyuan Xu & Christos N. Markides, 2023. "High-efficiency bio-inspired hybrid multi-generation photovoltaic leaf," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Yaguang Li & Xianhua Bai & Dachao Yuan & Fengyu Zhang & Bo Li & Xingyuan San & Baolai Liang & Shufang Wang & Jun Luo & Guangsheng Fu, 2022. "General heterostructure strategy of photothermal materials for scalable solar-heating hydrogen production without the consumption of artificial energy," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    3. Huang, Qichen & Liang, Xuechen & Yan, Chongyuan & Liu, Yizhen, 2021. "Review of interface solar-driven steam generation systems: High-efficiency strategies, applications and challenges," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    4. Eliodoro Chiavazzo, 2022. "Critical aspects to enable viable solar-driven evaporative technologies for water treatment," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-4, December.

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