Scalable carbon fiber composite yarns and tubular fabrics for high-efficiency water evaporation desalination

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of producing freshwater with a wide range of potential commercial uses. However, the formidable challenges of solar-driven interfacial evaporation apparatus lie in energy-conversion efficiencies and resistance to salt. Herein, a novel wrapped composite yarn was pioneered with light-absorbing carbon fibers as the primary material while Tencel was wrapped in carbon fiber bundles. Then, a three-dimensional integrated weaving method was harnessed to construct a tubular fabric evaporation fabric device. Within this fabric, polyethylene foam is introduced to ensure the stable floating of the entire evaporation device and low thermal conductivity for effective thermal management. The unique structure of the evaporation device enables it an evaporation rate of 2.122 kg m−2 h −1 under 1 kW m−2 solar insolation. This work provides a reference for the design of simple and efficient solar water evaporation devices.