Cost Effective Photothermal Materials Selection for Direct Solar-Driven Evaporation

The cornerstone of eco-friendly and affordable freshwater generation lies in harnessing solar energy for water evaporation. This process involves extracting vapor from liquid water using solar energy. Numerous innovative, low-cost materials have been proposed for this purpose. These materials aim to enable highly controllable and efficient conversion of solar energy into thermal energy while maintaining high cost-effectiveness. Here, in this review paper, we outline the advancements in solar-driven evaporation technology with a focus on optimizing synthesis methods and materials cost. It prioritizes refining evaporation efficiency and affordability using inventive manufacturing methods. By utilizing innovative reasonably priced materials, this process not only ensures efficient resource utilization but also fosters technological advancements in renewable energy applications. Moreover, the affordability of these materials makes solar-powered water evaporation accessible to a wider range of communities, empowering them to address water scarcity challenges.