Diurnal solar evaporator based on thermosensitive hydrogels
발표자
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초록
내용
Although solar desalination has a great potential for solution of global water scarcity, it has not become practical because of its low efficiency. Generally, the reason of the low evaporation efficiency is blockage of the absorption part caused by the salt accumulation. In the previous study, we developed an asymmetric composite of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) showing unique water flow behavior responsive to temperature variation. In this study, by separating the water pumping part from the evaporation part, the salt accumulation will not be present in the absorption surface. By using directional melt crystallization, aligned pores were introduced in PNIPAm, which can give PNIPAm improved its ability of water transport. The evaporation part consist of nickel/cellulose, which can increase heat absorption. This method has a potential to solve the evaporation efficiency limit, one of the tough problems of solar evaporator implementation.