Abstract
Surface plasmon resonance effects of nanoparticles, generating local hot spots in a water-air interface under sunlight irradiation to drive water into steam, can realize the highly efficient conversion of solar energy. Here, we develop a novel solar steam generation system with double-layer structures, of which the top reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets as a light-to-heat conversion layer and the bottom mixed cellulose esters (MCE) membrane as a porous supporting layer. The double-layer system (rGO/MCE) connected by polyethylenimine can convert the absorbed solar energy to heat energy at a water-air interface to enable efficient evaporation (∼60%) under only 1 kW/m2 irradiation. Contrast experiments under a light density of 4 kW/m2 showed that the rGO/MCE membrane achieved the highest evaporation efficiency of 71.8 ± 3%, and its evaporation rate is 4.3 times higher than that of pure water. Cycling tests confirmed that the system still maintained a stable performance over 15 cycles under same illumination conditions. Excellent mechanical stability, low cost, simple preparation and reusability of the rGO/MCE membrane are suitable for a wide range of practical applications in large-scale solar steam generation, sterilization of waste, seawater desalination.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
