Scalable and flexible biomass-based porous Juncus effusus fabric for high-efficient solar interfacial evaporation

Abstract

Biomass porous materials have special structural properties that serve as solar interfacial evaporators. However, the integrated flexible design of porous materials for vapor generation is a problem. In this study, a novel textile weaving craft was proposed to fabricate a scalable, flexible, and stable solar vapor generator using a natural biomass porous plant (Juncus effusus, JE fibers). The high porosity, reflection, and refraction paths of light in the pore structure of JE fibers help improve water vapor escape and light absorption. Additionally, the designed bridge-like porous Juncus effusus-cotton yarn fabric (JECYF)-based solar vapor generator can achieve efficient thermal management, which can enhance the photothermal conversion efficiency of evaporation. After acquiring a light absorption modification treatment, the JECYF-based solar vapor generator obtained a significant photothermal performance of 2.42 kg m−2h−1 under 1 sun irradiation. Thus, textile weaving technology’s unique properties make large-scale preparation and practical application of porous materials in solar vapor evaporator devices possible.