How to reduce enthalpy in the interfacial solar water generation system for enhancing efficiency?

Abstract

Solar-driven water generation especially interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) technology holds the potential of revolutionizing fresh water production and resolving energy crises. With ISSG system operating at the air-liquid interface, it enables localized solar-to-heat conversion and restrictive thermal energy losses. Advances in optimized material design in parallel to engineered evaporator construction, and adjustable energy management now allow ISSG to obtain excellent light absorption, evaporation efficiency and outstanding heat regulation for pursuing highly efficient low-energy-consume water production. The parallel development of enthalpy reduction technology, as an effective avenue towards high-performance ISSG system, was imperative and has gained wide recognition. In this review, the conceptual designs and fundamental mechanism of ISSG technology pertaining to the current progress in materials design, steamer construction and energy regulation applications will be presented. And this article will highlight recent progress on how to reduce evaporation enthalpy involving the enthalpy reduction principle, the implementation and measurements of their influence on ISSG technology. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review on reducing enthalpy strategies in ISSG system and suggest directions to further improve the overall efficiency through the judicious choice of materials, while synchronously capitalizing the increase of intermediate water, establishment of microstructures, regulation of the surface wetting state and water activation of electricity to realize concurrent high evaporation rate.