Carbon materials for hybrid evaporation-induced electricity generation systems

Solar-driven steam generation (SSG) systems for sustainable clean water desalination and purification through photothermal conversion have been widely studied. Integrating solar-driven electricity generation (SEG) including hydroelectricity, saline electricity, moisture electricity, and thermoelectricity during the evaporation process is an effective way to utilize energy comprehensively. Carbon materials with superior stability, processability, practicability, abundance, and cost-effectiveness have aroused tremendous attention in the solar-driven steam and electricity generation (SSEG) field. Carbon materials can simultaneously play the essential role of solar absorbers for energy harvesting and conductive substrates for energy generation during SSEG. In this review, energy harvesting and generation mechanisms of carbon materials with different dimensions are first introduced. Afterward, the hybrid evaporation-induced electricity generation devices including hydroelectricity, saline electricity, moisture electricity, and thermoelectricity, and relevant efficiency-improving strategies are demonstrated. Moreover, the potential applications in power supply, energy storage, and electrical sensors are also discussed. Finally, some remaining challenges are considered, and suggestions for future development are sincerely proposed.