Numerical Simulation of Photothermal Evaporation: Advances in the Optimal Design of Solar-Driven Interfacial Evaporation

The escalating global population and intensifying pollution have brought the freshwater crisis into sharp focus. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation (SDIE), recognized as a green, low- cost, and highly efficient solution, has garnered widespread attention. SDIE is a complex multiphysics coupled system, and its underlying physical mechanisms cannot be fully revealed by experimental methods alone. Numerical simulation techniques provide a powerful tool for elucidating these intrinsic mechanisms and optimizing material selection and system design. This review synthesizes the latest research and breakthrough advances in applying numerical simulations to investigate SDIE. It summarizes key aspects, including thermal management, water transport, water evaporation, and salt resistance within these systems, offering valuable research directions for advancing the practical application of this technology.