Electrospinning Technique Meets Solar Energy: Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Evaporation Systems for Solar Steam Generation

Jianghui Zhao; Zhi Liu; Siew Chun Low; Zhenzhen Xu; Soon Huat Tan

doi:10.1007/s42765-023-00286-4

Advanced Fiber Materials ›› 2023, Vol. 5 ›› Issue (4) : 1318 -1348. DOI: 10.1007/s42765-023-00286-4

Review

Electrospinning Technique Meets Solar Energy: Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Evaporation Systems for Solar Steam Generation

Author information +

¹School of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Seri Ampangan, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

²School of Textile and Garment, Anhui Polytechnic University, Beijing Mid-Road, 241000, Wuhu, China

^e chshtan@usm.my

Jianghui Zhao

is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Chemical Engineering at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her research focuses on the preparation of electrospun nanofibers for the application in photothermal evaporation systems.

Zhi Liu

is an Assoc. Prof. in the School of Textile and Garment at Anhui Polytechnic University. He obtained his Ph.D. degree from Soochow University. His researches focus on development of functional nanofiber and porous materials for the application in water treatment.

Siew Chun Low

is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her research focuses on air purification and water recovery using separation technologies that can be accomplished with minimal cost and energy.

Zhenzhen Xu

is a Prof. in the School of Textile and Garment at Anhui Polytechnic University. She obtained her Ph.D. degree from Jiangnan University. Her research focuses on preparation and application of functional nanofiber materials.

Soon Huat Tan

is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at Universiti Sains Malaysia. He obtained his Eng.D. degree from Sejong University and B.Eng. & M.Eng. degrees from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. The primary goal of his research is to produce nanocomposites with catalytic, sorption, and permeation properties.

Show less

History +

PDF

Abstract

The huge gap between inadequate clean water supply and demanding human needs can be narrowed by sustainable and green methods of solar-driven evaporation, which effectively converts solar energy into thermal energy to purify seawater and wastewater. Electrospun materials produced from a facile electrospinning technique can be combined with functional photothermal materials, giving rise to various superior advantages in solar water evaporation. However, to date, few reviews have focused on this topic. This article reviews the recent progress of electrospun nanofiber-based evaporation systems focusing on polymer selection, available solar materials, incorporation strategies of solar materials, system configurations, factors influencing the performance, and applications of electrospun nanofiber evaporation systems. The incorporation strategies of solar materials and system configurations in electrospun nanofiber evaporators are classified and systematically discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of the electrospun nanofiber evaporation systems are also presented. This review updates the progress of electrospun nanofiber evaporation systems and simultaneously stimulates attractive research on designing electrospun nanofiber-based photothermal systems for applications in solar water evaporation, photothermal therapy, electricity generation, and other related areas.

Cite this article

Download citation ▾

Jianghui Zhao, Zhi Liu, Siew Chun Low, Zhenzhen Xu, Soon Huat Tan. Electrospinning Technique Meets Solar Energy: Electrospun Nanofiber-Based Evaporation Systems for Solar Steam Generation. Advanced Fiber Materials, 2023, 5(4): 1318-1348 DOI:10.1007/s42765-023-00286-4