Glass capillary array supported membrane evaporator balancing heat and water management for double-side solar-driven interfacial evaporation

Abstract

Efficient heat and water management are two important aspects for boosting solar-driven interfacial evaporation. Here, we develop a glass capillary array supported membrane evaporator (GCSE) to simultaneously achieve heat and water management. In the GCSE, a membrane at top regions enables photothermal conversion, and a glass capillary array at bottom regions serves as both water and heat management. The balance of heat and water management can be readily controlled by adjusting the number and height of glass capillary array. Moreover, the exposed bottom surface of GCSE further utilizes extra evaporation surface to boost evaporation. As a result, a high evaporation rate of 2.06 kg·m−2·h−1 with an efficiency of 98.6 % under 1 sun is achieved. Furthermore, the GCSE also exhibits potential applications in oil/water emulsion purification and seawater desalination.