• Nano-Micro Letters
  • Vol. 16, Issue 1, 222 (2024)
Xiaomeng Zhao1, Heng Zhang1, Kit-Ying Chan1,3, Xinyue Huang1..., Yunfei Yang1 and Xi Shen1,2,3,*|Show fewer author(s)
Author Affiliations
  • 1Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
  • 2Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
  • 3Research Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
  • show less
    DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01448-8 Cite this Article
    Xiaomeng Zhao, Heng Zhang, Kit-Ying Chan, Xinyue Huang, Yunfei Yang, Xi Shen. Tree-Inspired Structurally Graded Aerogel with Synergistic Water, Salt, and Thermal Transport for High-Salinity Solar-Powered Evaporation[J]. Nano-Micro Letters, 2024, 16(1): 222 Copy Citation Text show less

    Abstract

    Solar-powered interfacial evaporation is an energy-efficient solution for water scarcity. It requires solar absorbers to facilitate upward water transport and limit the heat to the surface for efficient evaporation. Furthermore, downward salt ion transport is also desired to prevent salt accumulation. However, achieving simultaneously fast water uptake, downward salt transport, and heat localization is challenging due to highly coupled water, mass, and thermal transport. Here, we develop a structurally graded aerogel inspired by tree transport systems to collectively optimize water, salt, and thermal transport. The arched aerogel features root-like, fan-shaped microchannels for rapid water uptake and downward salt diffusion, and horizontally aligned pores near the surface for heat localization through maximizing solar absorption and minimizing conductive heat loss. These structural characteristics gave rise to consistent evaporation rates of 2.09 kg m-2 h-1 under one-sun illumination in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 7 days without degradation. Even in a high-salinity solution of 20 wt% NaCl, the evaporation rates maintained stable at 1.94 kg m-2 h-1 for 8 h without salt crystal formation. This work offers a novel microstructural design to address the complex interplay of water, salt, and thermal transport.
    Xiaomeng Zhao, Heng Zhang, Kit-Ying Chan, Xinyue Huang, Yunfei Yang, Xi Shen. Tree-Inspired Structurally Graded Aerogel with Synergistic Water, Salt, and Thermal Transport for High-Salinity Solar-Powered Evaporation[J]. Nano-Micro Letters, 2024, 16(1): 222
    Download Citation