CdS/PDA enhanced solar-driven phase change evaporator for continuous seawater desalination

Solar-powered evaporation has been recognized as a promising technology for desalination in view of the challenge of freshwater scarcity. Yet, conventional evaporation systems are constrained by the intermittent nature of solar radiation. We have developed a novel solar-driven phase change evaporator based on carbonized melamine foam (CMF). This evaporator breaks the constraints of solar discontinuity on the evaporation system by introducing phase change material (PCM) and utilizing its phase change energy storage property. Owing to the high loading of CMF on polyethylene glycol (PEG), the evaporator exhibits high energy storage capacity of up to 149.1 J/g. With the introduction of PEG, the evaporator still performed notable dark evaporation rate (0.74 kg m −2  h −1 ) after the loss of light 30 min. In particular, evaporated water displays excellent vegetative compatibility and can be utilized to irrigate crops. This research provides a new pathway for continuous solar-driven evaporation that can be used for long-term water production.