Work

Highly open 3D carbon structures enhance solar steam generation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: 3D bio-based carbon structures, characterized by high specific surface area and open macroporosity, were used to improve solar steam generation. These 3D structures were printed by laser stereolithography using an acrylate-tannin resin. After pyrolysis and eventual physical activation, the resulting 3D carbon structures were used as solar evaporators. Activation with CO 2 and water vapour resulted in 3D carbon structures with high specific surface areas and enhanced oxygen content, which in turn increased water sorption. Solar evaporation performances were as high as 2.45 kg m 2 h −1 under 1 sun illumination and low convection flow, 0.3 m s −1 , and increased to 7.32 kg m 2 h −1 when using forced convection flow, 4.5 m s −1 . These results show that 3D-printed carbons are promising materials for solar evaporation, especially in a complete water distillation system with forced air flow.

Source: Chemical Engineering Journal

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2025.164684