CMF/Cu@CuS as photothermal conversion material for solar-driven water evaporation in wet sand systems

Abstract

Solar-driven water evaporation (WE) is a promising strategy to directly extract freshwater from different water source. Carbonized melamine foam (CMF) was employed as the substrate for loading Cu@CuS with plasma effect and visible-near-infrared light absorption performance as photothermal conversion material (PCM) for WE in the wet sand systems. The porous microstructure, wettability, ultra-light density, and WE property of the obtained CMF/Cu@CuS were characterized and measured. CMF/Cu@CuS has good WE rate and photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) whether in the wet xalsonte or fine sand system. The WE rate can reach 1.917 kg m−2h−1, with a PCE of 91.75 % in the wet xalsonte system. This work gives a new perspective to expand the application of solar-driven WE technology, especially in the inland and remote areas.