Jellyfish-Inspired 3D Micro-Menisci Solar Desalinator for High-Efficient and Stable Pure Water Production from Oil-Brine Mixture

Abstract

Interfacial solar water evaporation has emerged as a pivotal solution for addressing global water scarcity and pollution. However, its practical deployment is often hindered by its suboptimal evaporation rates, and most of the previous solar evaporators are limited to specific types of single liquids. This study introduces a jellyfish-inspired micro-meniscus solar evaporator (JMSE) designed to enhance evaporation efficiency, particularly in complex ocean environments contaminated with oil and subjected to wave action. Leveraging a 3D micro-meniscus architecture combined with bionic spring microchannels, the JMSE facilitates the continuous transport of water from the oil-water interface, achieving a remarkable evaporation rate of 2.16 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ under 1 sun—a 30% improvement over conventional solar evaporation systems. Moreover, the system exhibits robust salt-rejection capabilities, maintaining effective desalination even under challenging conditions, with an evaporation rate of up to 2.86 liters m⁻² day⁻¹ for a 5 wt.% NaCl solution. Most significantly, continuous operation over extended periods underscores the JMSE's resilience and efficiency, attaining exceptional purification from various saline sources while conforming to World Health Organization standards for drinking water. This research highlights the JMSE's superior performance and guides future innovations in interfacial solar evaporation technologies, targeting low enthalpy and high efficiency for oily seawater applications.