Issue

Vol. 11 (2019)

Graphene Array-Based Anti-fouling Solar Vapour Gap Membrane Distillation with High Energy Efficiency

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-019-0281-1
Biyao Gong
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
Huachao Yang
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
Shenghao Wu
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
Guoping Xiong
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
Jianhua Yan
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
Kefa Cen
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
Zheng Bo
State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, College of Energy Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
Kostya Ostrikov
Joint CSIRO-QUT Sustainable Processes and Devices Laboratory, P.O. Box 218, Lindfield, NSW 2070, Australia

Corresponding Author: Zheng Bo

bozh@zju.edu.cn

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 11 (2019), Article Number: 51

Abstract

Photothermal membrane distillation (MD) is a promising technology for desalination and water purification. However, solar-thermal conversion suffers from low energy efficiency (a typical solar-water efficiency of ~ 50%), while complex modifications are needed to reduce membrane fouling. Here, we demonstrate a new concept of solar vapour gap membrane distillation (SVGMD) synergistically combining self-guided water transport, localized heating, and separation of membrane from feed solution. A free-standing, multifunctional light absorber based on graphene array is custom-designed to locally heat the thin water layer transporting through graphene nanochannels. The as-generated vapour passes through a gap and condenses, while salt/contaminants are rejected before reaching the membrane. The high solar-water efficiency (73.4% at 1 sun), clean water collection ratio (82.3%), excellent anti-fouling performance, and stable permeate flux in continuous operation over 72 h are simultaneously achieved. Meanwhile, SVGMD inherits the advantage of MD in microorganism removal and water collection, enabling the solar-water efficiency 3.5 times higher compared to state-of-the-art solar vapour systems. A scaled system to treat oil/seawater mixtures under natural sunlight is developed with a purified water yield of 92.8 kg m−2 day−1. Our results can be applied for diverse mixed-phase feeds, leading to the next-generation solar-driven MD technology.


Highlights:


1 New concept of solar vapour gap membrane distillation (SVGMD) is based on synergizing of nanochannel-guided water transport, localized heating, and membrane separation from feed solution.
2 First-time introduction of the gap enables long-term stability and non-fouling membrane.
3 SVGMD exhibits a solar-water energy efficiency higher than state-of-the-art solar vapour systems.

Keywords

Solar energy Plasma-made nanostructures Photothermal conversion Water purification
Gong, Biyao, Huachao Yang, Shenghao Wu, Guoping Xiong, Jianhua Yan, Kefa Cen, Zheng Bo, and Kostya Ostrikov. 2019. “Graphene Array-Based Anti-Fouling Solar Vapour Gap Membrane Distillation With High Energy Efficiency”. Nano-Micro Letters 11 (June):51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-019-0281-1.
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