Super-hydrophilic carbonized wood-based solar steam evaporator: A novel approach to enhance freshwater generation

Solar steam evaporation has been shown to represent an advanced approach to freshwater generation. The primary obstacles in developing solar steam generation devices utilizing biomass materials include intricate manufacturing procedures and a comparatively lower energy conversion efficiency. Here, we detailed a straightforward approach involving the deposition of polydopamine (PDA) onto carbonized wood, creating an innovative solar interface evaporation device. Treated wood obtained by removing a part of lignin and hemicellulose was transformed into carbonized wood through a straightforward wood carbonization process. Subsequently, the carbonized wood's water and light absorption were further enhanced by applying a hydrophilic coating using dopamine (DA) and diethylenetriamine (DETA). The result was the development of a wood-based solar interface evaporator capable of performing three essential functions: light absorption, photothermal conversion, and water transfer. The Super-hydrophilic carbonized wood (SCW) solar steam evaporator possessed an evaporation efficiency of approximately 91.81%, net evaporation of 1.7853 kg m-2 h-1 in seawater, an evaporation efficiency of approximately 78.44%, and net evaporation of 1.52538 kg m-2 h-1 in groundwater at one sun, respectively. Therefore, SCW holds substantial promise for applications in seawater desalination and groundwater extraction, offering a valuable solution to address the issue of inadequate freshwater availability.