Researchers from the University of New Brunswick and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in China have unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in solar-driven interfacial evaporation. Their work, published in a recent paper, introduces a novel method for integrating zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle-modified MXene into cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films, achieving highly efficient photothermal performance for sustainable solar evaporation and solar-thermal power generation.
Background
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation has garnered significant interest for its potential applications in water purification, seawater desalination, and energy production. However, developing a straightforward, adaptable, and scalable method for integrating hybrid solar-thermal systems has remained a challenge.
Methods
The researchers proposed an economical and environmentally friendly approach for synergistic coupling of interfacial solar energy conversion for evaporation and low-grade thermal energy conversion to electricity. They achieved this by incorporating zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle-modified MXene (ZNM-MXene) into cellulose nanofiber (CNF) films using a vacuum filtering approach.
Significant Findings
The resulting CNF@ZNM-MXene composite films exhibited enhanced photothermal conversion efficiency, capillary hydrophilicity, and thermal localization. Under 1 kW m-2 irradiance, the CNF@ZNM-MXene solar evaporator demonstrated an evaporation rate of 1.27 kg m-2 h-1 and a solar-vapor conversion efficiency as high as 82.15%. Moreover, when combined with a thermoelectric (TE) module, the output power of the solar thermal conversion system was boosted by 15.32 times.
Conclusion
This research presents a practical and effective method for simultaneously capturing solar energy and desalinating saltwater. By integrating ZnO nanoparticles into MXene nanosheets within cellulose nanofiber films, the researchers have developed a composite membrane ideal for solar evaporation and solar-thermal power generation. The resulting CNF@ZNM-MXene films offer promising applications for bifunctional solar evaporation, addressing the scarcity of both water and electricity in remote areas.
Implications
The innovation offers a pathway towards continuous freshwater production and electricity generation in a single device, presenting a solution for regions lacking access to these critical resources. Moreover, the scalable and cost-effective nature of the method holds promise for widespread implementation in various scenarios, contributing to sustainable water treatment and energy generation on a global scale.
Source
Novel Cellulose-based Films with Highly Efficient Photothermal Performance for Sustainable Solar Evaporation and Solar-Thermal Power Generation, Journal of Cleaner Production, 2024-05-06
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