npj Clean Water· 2026Q1
Geometry-engineered ion transport enables over 4000-h salt-free solar evaporation using Janus electrospun membranes
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- 2026year
Short summary
An inverted-cone Janus electrospun membrane achieved over 4224 hours of salt-free solar evaporation with fluxes of 1.03–1.36 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and 70%–92% efficiency in 3.5 wt% NaCl.
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Key points
- A Janus electrospun membrane with an inverted-cone architecture sustained salt-free solar evaporation for over 4224 hours.
- The membrane achieved evaporation fluxes of 1.03–1.36 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and solar thermal conversion efficiencies of 70%–92% under 1-sun illumination.
- The design integrates a hydrophobic photothermal layer and a hydrophilic transport layer to manage wetting and heat localization.
- Systematic comparison of nine geometries revealed that evaporator geometry critically governs heat localization and ion transport.
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Abstract
Abstract Salt accumulation and surface fouling remain major barriers to long-term solar-driven interfacial evaporation. Here we report a geometry-engineered Janus electrospun membrane that integrates asymmetric wetting with structural design to suppress salt buildup. The membrane combines a hydrophobic carbon black–polystyrene photothermal layer for broadband solar absorption and localized heating with a hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile transport layer and a cotton scaffold ensuring continuous capillary water supply. A systematic comparison of nine geometries fabricated from the same membrane reveals that evaporator geometry governs heat localization, ion transport pathways, and salinity tolerance. Among different configurations, an inverted-cone architecture exhibits exceptional durability, sustaining evaporation fluxes of 1.03–1.36 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and solar thermal conversion efficiencies of 70%–92% under 1-sun illumination in 3.5 wt% NaCl without visible salt deposition for over 4224 h. These findings reveal macroscopic geometry-controlled ion transport as a key design principle for scalable, salt-resistant solar evaporation.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. npj Clean Water, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the EnvironmentEnergy