Hydrogel-based solar-driven interfacial evaporation: Current progress and future challenges

Abstract

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation for wastewater purification and seawater desalination is perceived an encouraging strategy to simultaneously address water scarcity and the energy crisis. Hydrogel materials can undertake the crucial tasks of water transport and evaporation based on their well-known hydrophilicity and water retention. In the past few years, on account of its merits of low cost, simple preparation method and low energy consumption, hydrogel-based solar energy water purification technology has gradually turned into a research hotspot. This article systematically introduces the latest progress in the field of solar evaporation using hydrogel materials. Three aspects are discussed, including various photothermal materials, different evaporation systems and practical applications. Finally, the challenges in the current development process of solar evaporation technology are analyzed, and the countermeasures are put forward.