Basil seed hydrogel incorporated activated carbon as a Capable, Bio-Based, and Cost-Effective interfacial solar steam generator

Abstract

Utilization of solar energy for desalination and purification of seawater opens up a state-of-the-art way to meet the water needs all around the world specially in coastal cities. Herein, the eco-friendly, low cost and bio-based basil seed (BS) hydrogel is combined with activated carbon (AC) to synthesize activated carbon merged with basil seed hydrogel (AC-BS) composite material. Due to the photothermal property of the AC, the AC-BS composite was used to design an interfacial solar steam generator (ISSG) for water purification. The AC absorbs the sunlight and converts it to the required heat needed for water evaporation and the superhydrophilic BS hydrogel supplies water to the surface causing the high salt rejection ability of the system, in addition, it decreases the required energy for evaporation. The AC-BS is characterized using characterization methods such as EDX and FESEM. The two-dimensional (2D) AC-BS system containing a cotton fiber used to transfer water from the bulk to the surface, a layer of styrofoam as a heat insulator and AC-BS on the surface shows evaporation rate of 1.93 kg mh. The three-dimensional (3D) AC-BS, designed to solve the solar irradiation angle fluctuation problem during a day and seasons, shows an evaporation rate of 2.70 kg mh and an efficiency of about 91 % under 1 sun illumination. The ability of the AC-BS system for saline water desalination and waste water-contaminated dyes as a pollutant treatment is highly acceptable. The AC-BS ISSG can be studied and used on large scales to provide fresh water from saline water.