Highly efficient three‐dimensional solar evaporator for zero liquid discharge desalination of high‐salinity brine

Abstract Solar‐driven interfacial evaporation is a promising technology for freshwater production from seawater, but salt accumulation on the evaporator surface hinders its performance and sustainability. In this study, we report a simple and green strategy to fabricate a three‐dimensional porous graphene spiral roll (3GSR) that enables highly efficient solar evaporation, salt collection, and water production from near‐saturated brine with zero liquid discharge (ZLD). The 3GSR design facilitates energy recovery, radial brine transport, and directional salt crystallization, thereby resulting in an ultrahigh evaporation rate of 9.05 kg m −2 h −1 in 25 wt% brine under 1‐sun illumination for 48 h continuously.…

• TS
  Taishan Scholar Foundation of Shandong Province

  Award: tsqn202306267
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 51802168
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province

  Award: ZR2023ME172