Recent progress of solar-driven interfacial evaporation based on salt-resistant and oil-repellent materials

Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE), a technology which can converse the solar energy into thermal energy at the air/liquid interface by using photothermal materials (PMs), has emerged as an attractive technology for alleviating the scarcity of freshwater resources. Currently, various PMs have been applied to SDIE system, such as carbon-based materials, polymers, semiconductor materials, porous aerogels, biomass-derived materials, and so forth. PMs as the most significant component of SDIE system, it is crucial to enhance the salt resistance and fouling resistance of PMs for the practical application of solar interface evaporation technology. This paper provides an overview of the research progress on PMs with salt-resistant and oil-repellent properties, emphasizing the strategies for enhancing the salt resistance and oil repellency, as well as the advantages of PMs in thermal management and water transport. Further understanding of the PMs with superb salt resistance and oil repellency may supply theoretical guidance and technical support for achieving efficient water treatment and promoting the practical application of SDIE.