Reduced graphene oxide-based calcium alginate hydrogel as highly efficient solar steam generation membrane for desalination

doi:10.1007/s11706-021-0536-x

Frontiers of Materials Science

2021, Vol. 15

Issue (1): 138-146 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11706-021-0536-x

本期目录

Reduced graphene oxide-based calcium alginate hydrogel as highly efficient solar steam generation membrane for desalination

Gang LOU¹, Yizhi WANG¹, Yun MA¹, Jianlong KOU¹(

), Fengmin WU¹(

), Jintu FAN²

¹. Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid State Optoelectronic Devices, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
². Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-4401, USA

全文: PDF(1373 KB) HTML

Abstract：

Solar-driven evaporation has been considered as one of the potential methods for desalination and sewage treatment. However, optical concentrators and complex multi-component systems are essential in advanced technologies, resulting in low efficiency and high cost. Here, we synthesize a reduced graphene oxide-based porous calcium alginate (CA-rGO) hydrogel which exhibits good performance in light absorption. More than 90% of the light in the whole spectrum can be absorbed. Meanwhile, the water vapor escapes from the CA-rGO film extremely fast. The water evaporation rate is 1.47 kg·m⁻²·h⁻¹, corresponding to the efficiency 77% under only 1 kW·m⁻² irradiation. The high evaporation efficiency is attributed to the distinctive structure of the film, which contains inherent porous structure of hydrogel enabling rapid water transport throughout the film, and the concave water surfaces formed in the hydrophilic pores provide a large surface area for evaporation. Hydrophobic rGO divides the evaporation surface and provides a longer three-phase evaporation line. The test on multiple cyclic radiation shows that the material has good stability. The CA-rGO hydrogel may have promising application as a membrane for solar steam generation in desalination and sewage treatment.

Key words： solar-driven evaporation CA-rGO film desalination

收稿日期: 2020-08-12 出版日期: 2021-03-11

Corresponding Author(s): Jianlong KOU,Fengmin WU

引用本文:

. [J]. Frontiers of Materials Science, 2021, 15(1): 138-146.
Gang LOU, Yizhi WANG, Yun MA, Jianlong KOU, Fengmin WU, Jintu FAN. Reduced graphene oxide-based calcium alginate hydrogel as highly efficient solar steam generation membrane for desalination. Front. Mater. Sci., 2021, 15(1): 138-146.

链接本文:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/CN/10.1007/s11706-021-0536-x
https://academic.hep.com.cn/foms/CN/Y2021/V15/I1/138

Fig.1

Fig.2

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.5

Fig.6

Fig.7

1	M Elimelech, W A Phillip. The future of seawater desalination: Energy, technology, and the environment. Science, 2011, 333(6043): 712–717 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1200488 pmid: 21817042
2	P R Sharma, S K Sharma, T Lindström, et al.. Nanocellulose-enabled membranes for water purification: Perspectives. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 2020, 4(5): 1900114 https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.201900114
3	T Hillie, M Hlophe. Nanotechnology and the challenge of clean water. Nature Nanotechnology, 2007, 2(11): 663–664 https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2007.350 pmid: 18654395
4	L Wang, M S H Boutilier, P R Kidambi, et al.. Fundamental transport mechanisms, fabrication and potential applications of nanoporous atomically thin membranes. Nature Nanotechnology, 2017, 12(6): 509–522 https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2017.72 pmid: 28584292
5	S Chu, Y Cui, N Liu. The path towards sustainable energy. Nature Materials, 2017, 16(1): 16–22 https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat4834 pmid: 27994253
6	L Zhou, X Q Li, G W Ni, et al.. The revival of thermal utilization from the Sun: interfacial solar vapor generation. National Science Review, 2019, 6(3): 562–578 https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwz030
7	Y Lin, H Xu, X L Shan, et al.. Solar steam generation based on the photothermal effect: from designs to applications, and beyond. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2019, 7(33): 19203–19227 https://doi.org/10.1039/C9TA05935K
8	G Ni, S H Zandavi, S M Javid, et al.. A salt-rejecting floating solar still for low-cost desalination. Energy & Environmental Science, 2018, 11(6): 1510–1519 https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EE00220G
9	X Q Li, R X Lin, G Ni, et al.. Three-dimensional artificial transpiration for efficient solar waste-water treatment. National Science Review, 2018, 5(1): 70–77 https://doi.org/10.1093/nsr/nwx051
10	X Q Li, X Z Min, J L Li, et al.. Storage and recycling of interfacial solar steam enthalpy. JOULE, 2018, 2(11): 2477–2484 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2018.08.008
11	P Tao, G Ni, C Song, et al.. Solar-driven interfacial evaporation. Nature Energy, 2018, 3(12): 1031–1041 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-018-0260-7
12	G Liu, J Xu, K Wang. Solar water evaporation by black photothermal sheets. Nano Energy, 2017, 41: 269–284 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.09.005
13	P Wang. Emerging investigator series: the rise of nano-enabled photothermal materials for water evaporation and clean water production by sunlight. Environmental Science: Nano, 2018, 5(5): 1078–1089 https://doi.org/10.1039/C8EN00156A
14	P Zhang, Q Liao, H Yao, et al.. Direct solar steam generation system for clean water production. Energy Storage Materials, 2019, 18: 429–446 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2018.10.006
15	F Zhao, X Zhou, Y Shi, et al.. Highly efficient solar vapour generation via hierarchically nanostructured gels. Nature Nanotechnology, 2018, 13(6): 489–495 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-018-0097-z pmid: 29610528
16	C Chen, Y Li, J Song, et al.. Highly flexible and efficient solar steam generation device. Advanced Materials, 2017, 29(30): 1701756 https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201701756 pmid: 28605077
17	X Gao, H Ren, J Zhou, et al.. Synthesis of hierarchical graphdiyne-based architecture for efficient solar steam generation. Chemistry of Materials, 2017, 29(14): 5777–5781 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b01838
18	J Yang, Y Pang, W Huang, et al.. Functionalized graphene enables highly efficient solar thermal steam generation. ACS Nano, 2017, 11(6): 5510–5518 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.7b00367 pmid: 28511003
19	G Wang, Y Fu, A Guo, et al.. Reduced graphene oxide–polyurethane nanocomposite foam as a reusable photoreceiver for efficient solar steam generation. Chemistry of Materials, 2017, 29(13): 5629–5635 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.7b01280
20	Y Yang, R Zhao, T Zhang, et al.. Graphene-based standalone solar energy converter for water desalination and purification. ACS Nano, 2018, 12(1): 829–835 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.7b08196 pmid: 29301080
21	L Zhou, Y Tan, D Ji, et al.. Self-assembly of highly efficient, broadband plasmonic absorbers for solar steam generation. Science Advances, 2016, 2(4): e1501227 https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1501227 pmid: 27152335
22	J Fang, Q Liu, W Zhang, et al.. Ag/diatomite for highly efficient solar vapor generation under one-sun irradiation. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2017, 5(34): 17817–17821 https://doi.org/10.1039/C7TA05976K
23	Y Liu, J Chen, D Guo, et al.. Floatable, self-cleaning, and carbon-black-based superhydrophobic gauze for the solar evaporation enhancement at the air–water interface. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2015, 7(24): 13645–13652 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5b03435 pmid: 26027770
24	P Zhang, J Li, L Lv, et al.. Vertically aligned graphene sheets membrane for highly efficient solar thermal generation of clean water. ACS Nano, 2017, 11(5): 5087–5093 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.7b01965 pmid: 28423271
25	H Ren, M Tang, B Guan, et al.. Hierarchical graphene foam for efficient omnidirectional solar-thermal energy conversion. Advanced Materials, 2017, 29(38): 1702590 https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201702590 pmid: 28833544
26	X Hu, W Xu, L Zhou, et al.. Tailoring graphene oxide-based aerogels for efficient solar steam generation under one sun. Advanced Materials, 2017, 29(5): 1604031 https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201604031 pmid: 27885728
27	Y Ito, Y Tanabe, J Han, et al.. Multifunctional porous graphene for high-efficiency steam generation by heat localization. Advanced Materials, 2015, 27(29): 4302–4307 https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201501832 pmid: 26079440
28	X Wang, Y He, G Cheng, et al.. Direct vapor generation through localized solar heating via carbon-nanotube nanofluid. Energy Conversion and Management, 2016, 130: 176–183 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.10.049
29	G Ni, N Miljkovic, H Ghasemi, et al.. Volumetric solar heating of nanofluids for direct vapor generation. Nano Energy, 2015, 17: 290–301 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.08.021
30	Y Yang, W Que, J Zhao, et al.. Membrane assembled from anti-fouling copper–zinc–tin-selenide nanocarambolas for solar-driven interfacial water evaporation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 373: 955–962 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.05.099
31	Y Xu, J Ma, D Liu, et al.. Origami system for efficient solar driven distillation in emergency water supply. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2019, 356: 869–876 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2018.09.070
32	P Yang, K Liu, Q Chen, et al.. Solar-driven simultaneous steam production and electricity generation from salinity. Energy & Environmental Science, 2017, 10(9): 1923–1927 https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EE01804E
33	L Zhou, Y Tan, J Wang, et al.. 3D self-assembly of aluminium nanoparticles for plasmon-enhanced solar desalination. Nature Photonics, 2016, 10(6): 393–398 https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2016.75
34	S M Sajadi, N Farokhnia, P Irajizad, et al.. Flexible artificially-networked structure for ambient-high pressure solar steam generation. Journal of Materials Chemistry A: Materials for Energy and Sustainability, 2016, 4(13): 4700–4705 https://doi.org/10.1039/C6TA01205A
35	K K Liu, Q Jiang, S Tadepalli, et al.. Wood graphene oxide composite for highly efficient solar steam generation and desalination. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2017, 9(8): 7675–7681 https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b01307 pmid: 28151641
36	Z Wang, Y Liu, P Tao, et al.. Bio-inspired evaporation through plasmonic film of nanoparticles at the air–water interface. Small, 2014, 10(16): 3234–3239 https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.201401071 pmid: 24821378
37	H Ghasemi, G Ni, A M Marconnet, et al.. Solar steam generation by heat localization. Nature Communications, 2014, 5(1): 4449 https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms5449 pmid: 25043613
38	X Li, W Xu, M Tang, et al.. Graphene oxide-based efficient and scalable solar desalination under one sun with a confined 2D water path. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2016, 113(49): 13953–13958 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1613031113 pmid: 27872280
39	X Shan, Y Lin, A Zhao, et al.. Porous reduced graphene oxide/nickel foam for highly efficient solar steam generation. Nanotechnology, 2019, 30(42): 425403 https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ab3127 pmid: 31295739
40	X L Shan, A Q Zhao, Y W Lin, et al.. Low-cost, scalable, and reusable photothermal layers for highly efficient solar steam generation and versatile energy conversion. Advanced Sustainable Systems, 2020, 4(5): 1900153 https://doi.org/10.1002/adsu.201900153
41	G Ni, G Li, S V Boriskina, et al.. Steam generation under one sun enabled by a floating structure with thermal concentration. Nature Energy, 2016, 1(9): 16126 https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2016.126
42	C Finnerty, L Zhang, D L Sedlak, et al.. Synthetic graphene oxide leaf for solar desalination with zero liquid discharge. Environmental Science & Technology, 2017, 51(20): 11701–11709 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b03040 pmid: 28892371
43	A Martinsen, G Skjåk-Braek, O Smidsrød. Alginate as immobilization material: I. Correlation between chemical and physical properties of alginate gel beads. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 1989, 33(1): 79–89 https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260330111 pmid: 18587846
44	A Martinsen, I Storrø, G Skjårk-Braek. Alginate as immobilization material: III. Diffusional properties. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 1992, 39(2): 186–194 https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.260390210 pmid: 18600930
45	B Amsden, N Turner. Diffusion characteristics of calcium alginate gels. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 1999, 65(5): 605–610 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19991205)65:5<605::AID-BIT14>3.0.CO;2-C pmid: 10516587
46	D Wendt, M Jakob, I Martin. Bioreactor-based engineering of osteochondral grafts: from model systems to tissue manufacturing. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2005, 100(5): 489–494 https://doi.org/10.1263/jbb.100.489 pmid: 16384786
47	A Schneider, G Francius, R Obeid, et al.. Polyelectrolyte multilayers with a tunable Young’s modulus: Influence of film stiffness on cell adhesion. Langmuir, 2006, 22(3): 1193–1200 https://doi.org/10.1021/la0521802 pmid: 16430283
48	K S Novoselov, A K Geim, S V Morozov, et al.. Electric field effect in atomically thin carbon films. Science, 2004, 306(5696): 666–669 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1102896 pmid: 15499015
49	V Singh, D Joung, L Zhai, et al.. Graphene based materials: Past, present and future. Progress in Materials Science, 2011, 56(8): 1178–1271 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmatsci.2011.03.003
50	S Park, R S Ruoff. Chemical methods for the production of graphenes. Nature Nanotechnology, 2009, 4(4): 217–224 https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2009.58 pmid: 19350030
51	Y Zhu, S Murali, W Cai, et al.. Graphene and graphene oxide: Synthesis, properties, and applications. Advanced Materials, 2010, 22(35): 3906–3924 https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201001068 pmid: 20706983
52	D Chen, H Feng, J Li. Graphene oxide: preparation, functionalization, and electrochemical applications. Chemical Reviews, 2012, 112(11): 6027–6053 https://doi.org/10.1021/cr300115g pmid: 22889102
53	X Zheng, B Jia, H Lin, et al.. Highly efficient and ultra-broadband graphene oxide ultrathin lenses with three-dimensional subwavelength focusing. Nature Communications, 2015, 6(1): 8433 https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms9433 pmid: 26391504
54	X F Jiang, L Polavarapu, S T Neo, et al.. Graphene oxides as tunable broadband nonlinear optical materials for femtosecond laser pulses. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 2012, 3(6): 785–790 https://doi.org/10.1021/jz300119t pmid: 26286291
55	D W Boukhvalov, M I Katsnelson, Y W Son. Origin of anomalous water permeation through graphene oxide membrane. Nano Letters, 2013, 13(8): 3930–3935 https://doi.org/10.1021/nl4020292 pmid: 23859009
56	R R Nair, H A Wu, P N Jayaram, et al.. Unimpeded permeation of water through helium-leak-tight graphene-based membranes. Science, 2012, 335(6067): 442–444 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1211694 pmid: 22282806
57	H W Kim, H W Yoon, S M Yoon, et al.. Selective gas transport through few-layered graphene and graphene oxide membranes. Science, 2013, 342(6154): 91–95 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1236098
58	H Li, Z Song, X Zhang, et al.. Ultrathin, molecular-sieving graphene oxide membranes for selective hydrogen separation. Science, 2013, 342(6154): 95–98 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1236686 pmid: 24092739
59	P Sun, M Zhu, K Wang, et al.. Selective ion penetration of graphene oxide membranes. ACS Nano, 2013, 7(1): 428–437 https://doi.org/10.1021/nn304471w pmid: 23214493
60	R K Joshi, P Carbone, F C Wang, et al.. Precise and ultrafast molecular sieving through graphene oxide membranes. Science, 2014, 343(6172): 752–754 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1245711
61	B Mi. Graphene oxide membranes for ionic and molecular sieving. Science, 2014, 343(6172): 740–742 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1250247 pmid: 24531961
62	J D Renteria, S Ramirez, H Malekpour, et al.. Strongly anisotropic thermal conductivity of free-standing reduced graphene oxide films annealed at high temperature. Advanced Functional Materials, 2015, 25(29): 4664–4672 https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201501429
63	L Tian, P Anilkumar, L Cao, et al.. Graphene oxides dispersing and hosting graphene sheets for unique nanocomposite materials. ACS Nano, 2011, 5(4): 3052–3058 https://doi.org/10.1021/nn200162z pmid: 21405144
64	R R Rogers, M K Yau. A Short Course in Cloud Physics. 3rd ed. Elsevier Science, 1989, 16
65	A Adediji, L T Ajibade. Quality of well water in Ede Area, southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 2005, 17(3): 223–228 https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2005.11905785
66	H Iqbal, M Ishfaq, A Jabbar, et al.. Physico-chemical analysis of drinking water in district Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. International Journal of Basic Medical Sciences and Pharmacy, 2013, 3(2): 37–41

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed