An efficient torrefaction Bamboo-based evaporator in interfacial solar steam generation

Previous studies have explored interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) for photothermal conversion and seawater purification via biobased solar-driven devices. Nevertheless, as the water transport and solar absorption were inadequate, the seawater purification of current devices is limited. Herein, we report an efficient bamboo-based evaporator that demonstrates the torrefaction bamboo and avoids fabrication defects, achieving an excellent evaporation performance of 1.522 kg/m2 h with 94.4% conversion efficiency and sharp response time 80 s under one sun irradiance. This evaporator provides a stable self-floating state with continuous micro-nano channels, which were significantly parallel with the air–water surface, generating more photothermal energy and sharper water molecule movement than current devices. Simultaneously, this bamboo-based evaporator leads effective seawater purification towards the insoluble matter, soluble humus, and organic or inorganic matter, removing 99.58% of dissolved solids with self-clean capacity. Theoretical simulations deepen the synergy between water transport and photothermal location, promising prospects for the future development of high-performance biobased evaporators to ensure clean fuel and freshwater challenges. © 2021 International Solar Energy Society