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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stevin PramanaORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Solar-driven interfacial desalination is an emerging approach to address global freshwater crisis while minimizing carbon emissions. A key challenge in interfacial desalination technology is maintaining long-term high efficiency with fouling-resistance and energy-saving. Here, we develop a 3D-printed concave-shaped solar evaporator and a floating freshwater collection setup, that achieve nearly 100% photothermal evaporation efficiency with a rate of 2.23 kgm−2h−1 and freshwater collection rate of 1.23 kgm−2h−1 under one sun illumination. This 3D concave-shaped solar evaporator design, achieved through 3D printing and double-sided surface modification, allows interfacial desalination process to occur at the bottom surface of the evaporator with superior heat transfer, ultra-effective salt-resistance and enlarged water-air interfacial area. The evaporation stability, extending well beyond traditional limitations of days or months, is realized by a decoupling design and the low-cost renewal of water-intake layer. This design allows vapor to escape downward without causing fouling problem within the top solar absorber. Furthermore, a self-floating freshwater collection setup facilitates thermal exchange with low-temperature seawater for sustainable application. Our large-scale integrated 3D printed evaporator-collector strategy demonstrates potential for portable solar-driven interfacial desalination and freshwater collection.
Author(s): Pu Y, Lin W, Yao X, Xu Q, Lo WK, Liu Y, Sun J, Zeng Y, Bai S, Cui M, Pramana S, Li T, Wang Z, Wang S
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Nature Communications
Year: 2025
Volume: 16
Online publication date: 17/04/2025
Acceptance date: 08/04/2025
Date deposited: 22/04/2025
ISSN (electronic): 2041-1723
Publisher: Springer Nature
URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58952-7
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58952-7
ePrints DOI: 10.57711/j83j-2j69
Data Access Statement: All data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary files. Any additional requests for information can be directed to, and will be fulfilled by, the corresponding author(s). Source data are provided with this paper.
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